A Partnership Between Prayer and Imagination
A Review of
Where Wonder Leads: Finding God Through Fairy Tales, Myth, and Contemplative Prayer
Eric Clayton
Paperback: Loyola Press, 2026
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Reviewed by Alli Bobzien
C.S. Lewis’s dedication of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe reads, “But someday you will grow old enough to start reading fairy tales again.” Eric Clayton invites his readers to do just that in his new book Where Wonder Leads: Finding God through Fairy Tales, Myth, and Contemplative Prayer.
Whisking readers away into the realm of fantasy, Clayton guides them through the tropes and adventures of fairy tales while providing a spiritual lens through which to view the experience. Referencing the work of mythographer Martin Shaw, Clayton explains that “myths are meant to mature us, to make us more fully human” (12). For as we enter prayerfully into the adventure and fantastical motifs of these fairy tales, Clayton asserts that “we better understand both who we are and whose we are. We discover our own stories, and we discover the Great Storyteller” (12).
Rooted in Ignatian thought and spiritual practice, this book invites readers on a journey of self-discovery and a renewed experience of prayer through the exploration of myth. “Part I: The Framing,” consisting of the first three chapters, lays the groundwork for reading the book prayerfully. “Part II: The Adventure” is organized as 35 contemplations; each one combines short fictional passages with personal and spiritual reflections, prompting the reader to enter the narrative and reflect on their own story.
Clayton writes, “We need to return to our stories to find the patterns through which God is unfolding. And we must do so in a contemplative manner, making ourselves open and available to the surprise of God’s abiding presence” (28). Whether one encounters wizards, elves, or even harpies on the fantasy journey, Clayton’s storytelling draws one in and allows the imagination to take flight.
For instance, when addressing the unexpected discovery of a centaur in the fictional passage, Clayton pens, “We have two options when greeted with the unknown. The first is to allow fear to compel us into hiding, and we shrink our own imagination. The second is to embrace curiosity, which propels us out of ourselves and our ordinary status quo” (87). These brief contemplations prompt reflection on the wondrous in daily life and throughout the spiritual journey.
Clayton brings warmth and insight by sharing personal anecdotes of his family life as well as his own spiritual journey. Through narratives concerning building fairy houses with his daughters and narrowly avoiding tree branches while hiking with his wife, we get a glimpse into how this practice of prayerfully considering myths and fairy tales forms a soul.
While distinctly Catholic in its emphasis on Ignatian Spirituality and the importance of the Catholic Imagination, this book’s invitation to discover the wonder of everyday life would serve any person of faith. A unique element of the book is the plethora of resources provided in “Part III: Tools for Sharing.” Clayton offers ideas for further contemplation exercises for families, retreats, workshops, classrooms, and small groups. While each chapter of Part II concludes with a question to reflect on, these additional resources for sharing with various groups and age ranges provide a fantastic framework for additional engagement with the book.
Clayton has written a unique book combining what are clearly two of his passions: fantasy and spirituality. He provides his readers with a wondrous journey and a form of prayer that offers fantastical fiction, reflection, and consolation: a must-read for all those who love fantasy or have grown old enough to start reading fairy tales again.
Alli Bobzien
Alli Bobzien is a writer and a mother of two spunky girls. Cherishing a love of spirituality, women in scripture, and the healing power of connection through words, she crafts essays and prayers that engage and uplift. You can find her on Substack The Pondering Heart or her website allibobzien.com.
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