Reviews

I loved The Lion the Witch and The Wardrobe as a kid but knew nothing of the author until I saw Anthony Hopkins portray him in Shadowlands circa 1986...I was 15 years old and yet I was so taken by this love story about a 50 something writer and his 17 year younger wife. I immediately read all the Narnia Books and The Screwtape Letters. I would continue to read lewis my favorite book being The Four Loves. But the love story was something I had forgotten over the years and I was actually looking to see if there was a book Shadowlands was based on when I found this. While it is a work of fiction and literary license is taken I loved it all the same. It's funny I am close now to the age Lewis was when he met Joy and while I have mostly given up on finding true love, that seems to only to exist in fiction, I am reminded that some people do find it even in their sunset.

sreader33's review

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This was a very well written historical fiction. I enjoyed the writing as well as the plot that took you back in time to the 1950’s. I have enjoyed CS Lewis’ stories but did not know much about him and knew nothing of his relationship with Joy Davidson. Her story is interesting and one that is important to bring to light, as her work would not have been given the same value as her male counterparts.

meblaustone's review

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hopeful informative inspiring relaxing slow-paced

5.0

ahayes's review against another edition

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emotional informative slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.0

missbryden's review against another edition

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5.0

After getting past preconceived ideas of what the book might be like based on the cover and the title, I really enjoyed the story, found it very engaging, was caught up by the emotions and relationships and wanted to know where it would go. Plus the literary behind-the-scenes is very interesting.
I worried the story would be limited to what the title makes it sounds, like various other titles where the title female character is defined by her relationship as wife or daughter. Also with the title I thought the story would feature more of the years once Joy was actually Mrs. Lewis. Yet while Joy and Jack’s (C. S. Lewis) relationship, and the different kinds of love, is the impetus of the story, it touches on all her life: her childhood and family relationships, her work as a writer herself, her difficult (to put it simply and lightly) relationship with her first husband, also a writer, getting to know herself and forever learning about her relationship with God and how it compares to human relationships.
It’s made me want to read all hers and Lewis’s works, and her son’s writing about them, and track their lives through them.

annyleigh's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Prepare for your heart to soar. Prepare for tender softness. Prepare for an exploration of your own personal theology and beliefs and worldview. Also, prepare to sob.

bethlee's review

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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