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Reviews
Becoming Mrs. Lewis: The Improbable Love Story of Joy Davidman and C. S. Lewis by Patti Callahan
kjcotton's review against another edition
4.0
MLD 2021 Challenge; #14 A book with punctuation in the title
cassietea783's review against another edition
5.0
Captivating
CS Lewis is my absolute favorite author, so I was a little skeptical of how this book would portray him. I was pleasantly surprised. The author did a lovely job of portraying the characters with respect, honesty, and humility. I’ve been to Oxford, toured the Kilns and I’ve read every book Lewis wrote. It is apparent that while he may have been a tad eccentric and delightfully imaginative, he was also a painfully private but passionate man. Never is this more evident than in “A Grief Observed,” which is no less than his very personal, gut-wrenching wrestling matches with God after Joy’s passing. Those who love Lewis for the larger-than-life character he’s become (many call him one of the greatest minds of the 20th century) cannot help but be intrigued by the private romance that blossomed between him and Joy Davidman Lewis. This book does justice to her story and the part she came to play in Lewis’ life. The narration and dialogue were probing and emotional, while not overdramatic or sappy. The author does a wonderful job of showing how this love story points unquestionably to the grace and mercy of a loving and personal God. The author reveals in detail how Joy and Jack had similar journeys, even similar conversions, and how God used these similarities to draw them together and to Him.
I loved this book. It is painstakingly researched, beautifully written, and thoughtfully edited. At times it felt a little tumultuous emotionally, but I can imagine this being close to reality given the timeline of the story (conveniently laid out in well-researched detail in the appendices). It is also a very long book—I had to wait over a month on two different occasions to borrow it from the library on my Kindle in order to finish it! I have to say though: I don’t normally go for love stories, but I loved this one. It was worth the wait. I recommend this book.
CS Lewis is my absolute favorite author, so I was a little skeptical of how this book would portray him. I was pleasantly surprised. The author did a lovely job of portraying the characters with respect, honesty, and humility. I’ve been to Oxford, toured the Kilns and I’ve read every book Lewis wrote. It is apparent that while he may have been a tad eccentric and delightfully imaginative, he was also a painfully private but passionate man. Never is this more evident than in “A Grief Observed,” which is no less than his very personal, gut-wrenching wrestling matches with God after Joy’s passing. Those who love Lewis for the larger-than-life character he’s become (many call him one of the greatest minds of the 20th century) cannot help but be intrigued by the private romance that blossomed between him and Joy Davidman Lewis. This book does justice to her story and the part she came to play in Lewis’ life. The narration and dialogue were probing and emotional, while not overdramatic or sappy. The author does a wonderful job of showing how this love story points unquestionably to the grace and mercy of a loving and personal God. The author reveals in detail how Joy and Jack had similar journeys, even similar conversions, and how God used these similarities to draw them together and to Him.
I loved this book. It is painstakingly researched, beautifully written, and thoughtfully edited. At times it felt a little tumultuous emotionally, but I can imagine this being close to reality given the timeline of the story (conveniently laid out in well-researched detail in the appendices). It is also a very long book—I had to wait over a month on two different occasions to borrow it from the library on my Kindle in order to finish it! I have to say though: I don’t normally go for love stories, but I loved this one. It was worth the wait. I recommend this book.
kristapeters's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.5
bluesleepy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
stiren's review against another edition
5.0
This book made me laugh, cry, and stay up until 1:30am more than once. It inspired, challenged, and encouraged me.
msnyderk's review against another edition
5.0
It’s hard to believe that from their first letter, to her death, Jack and Joy only knew each other for ten years. What a beautiful story. Their journey is unlike any other story I’ve read. I love their intellectual compatibility as well as their love and search for God and their friendship. It is heartbreaking they only had such short years together. I will be thinking about their story for a long time and am happy that I can continue with Callahan’s podcasts.
prncss1204's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
thevegan6323's review against another edition
emotional
informative
lighthearted
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
5.0