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chaosmavin's review against another edition
5.0
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 against another edition
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.
ahayes's review against another edition
emotional
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
missbryden's review against another edition
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.
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
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 against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Antisemitism, Physical abuse, Chronic illness, Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Death, and Cancer
kristensreadingnook's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.5
“The only command nature demands of us is to look and be present. But do not demand more of her than she can give.”
Patti Callahan is fast becoming a favorite author of mine. I have always enjoyed CS Lewis’s books so reading upon Once Upon A Wardrobe by Callahan two years ago endeared me to her as I was transported back in time to when Lewis was writing the Narnia series. With Becoming Mrs. Lewis, I was once again transported to England while Lewis was writing and falling in love with the woman who would eventually become his wife. Joy Davidson (the woman who became his wife) was such an interesting woman! She had a hard life but gave her all to support her sons while escaping an awful situation of her own.
Patti Callahan is a masterful storyteller and she brought together words penned by Lewis and Davidson in such a lovely way while also creating a narrative in between that drew me in to the details of their lives.
Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Read if you like:
CS Lewis
84, Charing Cross Road
Writing that makes you feel deeply
Historical fiction
Patti Callahan is fast becoming a favorite author of mine. I have always enjoyed CS Lewis’s books so reading upon Once Upon A Wardrobe by Callahan two years ago endeared me to her as I was transported back in time to when Lewis was writing the Narnia series. With Becoming Mrs. Lewis, I was once again transported to England while Lewis was writing and falling in love with the woman who would eventually become his wife. Joy Davidson (the woman who became his wife) was such an interesting woman! She had a hard life but gave her all to support her sons while escaping an awful situation of her own.
Patti Callahan is a masterful storyteller and she brought together words penned by Lewis and Davidson in such a lovely way while also creating a narrative in between that drew me in to the details of their lives.
Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Read if you like:
CS Lewis
84, Charing Cross Road
Writing that makes you feel deeply
Historical fiction
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 rounded up.
A really interesting look at the relationship between Joy Davidson (a wife, mother and writer in her own right) and C.S. Lewis. The author does a really great job bringing to light the challenges women had trying to fight for their own career outside the home, especially as mothers. Joy Davidson wasn't afraid to put herself first, striking up a friendship that slowly developed into more with the man behind the Narnia books.
She juggled motherhood, infidelity, her husband's alcoholism and her own declining health - all while still writing prodigiously in order to support herself and her sons. Highly recommended and great on audio. I learned so much about a woman I had no idea existed and her amazing love story with C. S. Lewis!
A really interesting look at the relationship between Joy Davidson (a wife, mother and writer in her own right) and C.S. Lewis. The author does a really great job bringing to light the challenges women had trying to fight for their own career outside the home, especially as mothers. Joy Davidson wasn't afraid to put herself first, striking up a friendship that slowly developed into more with the man behind the Narnia books.
She juggled motherhood, infidelity, her husband's alcoholism and her own declining health - all while still writing prodigiously in order to support herself and her sons. Highly recommended and great on audio. I learned so much about a woman I had no idea existed and her amazing love story with C. S. Lewis!
jennyyyyyyyyyyyy's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0