Lewis class, one of my students approached me. The inspiration for Bandersnatch came from an APU student. The more we understand about the creative processes of these illustrious authors, the more we can engage in the same behaviors and adjust our approaches to creativity.įor those who have read The Company They Keep, what does Bandersnatch do to reintroduce the collaboration of the Inklings? After all these years, there is one truth that keeps me going. It was exhilarating to go to the library and dig through old manuscripts. It took me more than 20 years because the evidence of their collaboration had not yet been documented. I continued searching and found hundreds of examples of peer editing between Lewis and Tolkien. The Lord of the Rings would not be the story we know and love had he not risked sharing his creative world with Lewis. Tolkien’s whole story turned in a richer and darker direction. Hobbits are only interesting when they are in non-Hobbit-like situations.” The next day, the Dark Riders appeared in the manuscripts. Lewis thoughtfully replied to Tolkien, “I know what the problem is. In a discussion prompted by Tolkien, who had become discouraged about finishing The Lord of The Rings, he told Lewis that he was considering entirely abandoning the project. I drew evidence that their discussions directly shaped and developed their books. As I read through their letters and manuscripts, I found mutual threads of influence from their conversations. Lewis, the greatest apologist of the last century, and Tolkien, the greatest novelist of the last century, were buddies. I discovered the writings of Lewis and Tolkien in high school and was astonished to learn that they were friends. What led to the undertaking of such an immense project? You spent 20 years researching books by and about Tolkien and Lewis. Glyer released her newest book, Bandersnatch, on November 25, 2015.

She is the author of Clay in the Potter’s Hands and The Company They Keep, as well as co-author of The Liberal Arts in Higher Education. Diana Pavlac Glyer, Ph.D., is a professor in the Department of English and a leading expert on C.S.

Bandersnatch by Diana Pavlac Glyer