The early years of C.S. Lewis were formative in shaping his writing. Growing up in a close-knit family in Ireland, Lewis was introduced to literature at a young age, fostering a love for storytelling. The loss of his mother and later experiences in World War I deeply affected him, adding layers of complexity to his themes of loss and faith. His academic background in literature and philosophy, combined with friendships with authors like J.R.R. Tolkien, influenced his imaginative storytelling and exploration of profound moral questions, evident in his works such as The Chronicles of Narnia.