Once Upon a Wardrobe

By: Patti Callahan

Narrated by: Fiona Hardingham

For everyone who has fallen through the wardrobe door, experienced the magic of Narnia, and longs to know more, New York Times bestselling author Patti Callahan delivers a heartfelt story that is simultaneously a fascinating look into the bond between siblings, a peek behind the curtain of Lewis's personal life, and an homage to the life-changing magic of stories.

1950: Margaret Devonshire (Megs) is a seventeen-year-old student of mathematics and physics at Oxford University. When her beloved eight-year-old brother asks Megs if Narnia is real, logical Megs tells him it's just a book for children, and certainly not true. Homebound due to his illness, and remaining fixated on his favorite books, George presses her to ask the author of the recently released novel The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe a question: "Where did Narnia come from?"

Despite her fear about approaching the famous author, who is a professor at her school, Megs soon finds herself taking tea with C. S. Lewis and his own brother Warnie, begging them for answers.

Rather than directly telling her where Narnia came from, Lewis encourages Megs to form her own conclusion as he shares the little-known stories from his own life that led to his inspiration. As she takes these stories home to George, the little boy travels farther in his imagination than he ever could in real life.

After holding so tightly to logic and reason, her brother's request leads Megs to absorb a more profound truth: "The way stories change us can't be explained. It can only be felt. Like love."

Once Upon a Wardrobe is a captivating historical novel that deftly combines fact and fiction. It's an emotional journey into the books and stories that make us who we are. It's perfect for book clubs, for anyone who has ever longed to know more about Narnia, and for anyone whose life has ever been impacted by a story.

Audio read by Fiona Hardingham, narrator of My Not So Perfect Life and Sword Catcher.

Critic reviews

'. . . a love letter to beloved Narnia, and to the power of story to inspire, connect and heal. Truly magical.'

'. . . a tender, enchanting tribute to the power of story and the myriad ways it can both break and heal our hearts.'

'. . . discovering the way in which stories--and myths--weave through our existences, subtly transforming us in immeasurable ways. Stunning.'

'. . . the kind of real magic that is only possible when we open our hearts and let the lamplight in.'

'Callahan once again visits the life and works of C. S. Lewis in this enlightening novel of logic and imagination, faith, and reason . . . This enchanting novel of faith and hope is a must-read for fans of C. S. Lewis. Readers will be eager to return to the world of 'The Chronicles of Narnia' with new insights.'

'Enchanting and luminous, filled with the love of family, this is a story for anyone whose life has ever been changed by a book. Megs and George will stretch your heart, perhaps fracture it, then shine light through the cracks and send your spirit soaring. It is impossible not to be swept away by Patti Callahan's exploration of what lies beneath C.S. Lewis's beloved land of Narnia. This is storytelling at its finest, deepest, and most profound. A triumph.'

'Exquisitely heartfelt, ONCE UPON A WARDROBE is a love letter to the magic of stories. I call it the Callahan Effect--from the first page to the last, Patti Callahan's wise and beautiful prose draws you in and doesn't let you go.'

'I so loved this story. Every page is filled with magic and wonder, with insight and wisdom.'

'It's a love letter to books and stories . . .'

'Patti Callahan's beautiful, life-affirming novel is a reminder that literature lives inside us, and that when we read someone else's story, we understand so much more about our own. A gorgeous, compelling book.'

Creative Biography

An enjoyable book. Also a creative way to explore the origins and deeper meaning behind the works of C S Lewis. The author attempts to capture as well, some of the magic and mystery, even the inscrutability, of his writing.

Loved it!

Such a sweet and endearing story - if you love Narnia at all, you will love this!

Unexpectedly Delightful

I believe the author has used very beautiful thought and left none for me to describe my own emotion after listening to this wonderful story. I am left feeling many things but most of all…feeling as if I have the answers to the universe. Silly? Maybe…but my heart is full and I am not the same person as I was when I began. Everything a story should bring. Loved it. Beyond loved. This is a very special and unexpected find. Thank you.

Such beauty and insight

This author is breathtaking in the way that she takes the depth and story of this young boy and his family being touched at the core by the CS Lewis story. She has given us two stories that have made me love him even more and to be so grateful for him and her appreciation- I highly recommend this book!

Captivating, Precious Story

This book masterfully explores the grace of story in all of our lives. From C.S. Lewis’ story, to George’s, to ours—this is a masterpiece.

And the voice work on this book is phenomenal. Well done. This is one of my all time favorites!