Charles Williams – The Third Inkling

by Grevel Lindop

I first heard about Charles Williams from a comment by Bruce Cockburn in the liner notes of Dancing in the Dragon’s Jaws. Since then I have read his 7 novels and some of his poetry and theological work as well. He was part of the group of literary and scholarly friends known as The Inklings, whose more famous members were C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. This comprehensive biography fills in some of the life details of this interesting and enigmatic character. Lindop is a poet himself, and so there is no surprise that more time is spent on Williams’ poetry than his other writings, but then again Williams probably considered himself a poet first, and writer of fiction, literary criticism and dramatic works second. After reading this interesting and sometimes surprising account of Williams life I think I will have a better understanding into his works. Charles Williams was a charismatic and flawed individual, a sinner and saint, a creative force who created his own path while trying to pay the bills, a continual struggle for artists, musicians and writers to this day.