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A review by randikaye
Becoming Mrs. Lewis: Expanded Edition by Patti Callahan
4.0
Like many readers, I have been a fan of C.S. Lewis since I was a child, burying myself in his Chronicles of Narnia series. While those are certainly my favorite, I have read a few of his other works through the years as well. I must admit though, I really didn't know much (okay, anything at all) about his personal life. When I first heard about Becoming Mrs. Lewis over a year ago, I was intrigued. I'd added it to my TBR list, but had never actually gotten around to crossing it off. When I was that there was a new expanded edition out, I knew it was time to move it to the top of the list.
To be 100% honest, if this were a completely fictional story with made up characters, I likely wouldn't have enjoyed it quite as much. It's certainly not your typical Christian romance novel type of love story. When the story begins, Joy is married to someone else---and while he is far from a loving and devoted spouse himself, she did start to develop feelings for C.S. Lewis (whom she called Jack) while still married. Again, if this were an entirely fictional story, I perhaps wouldn't have read any further. But it's not. It is a fictionalized story of the real relationship between the two... and real life? Well, it's a lot more messy than fictional love stories. It might not be quite what I was expecting... but it is life.
Despite that rather rocky start, I must admit I really enjoyed reading their story. As I said, I didn't know the first thing about C.S. Lewis's personal life and nothing of Joy even by name, and so it was really interesting to get that little glimpse. I was drawn into their world thanks to the author's fantastic storytelling through Joy's perspective. Yes, it is fictional, but it was well researched, as the added resources in the expanded version allow us to see. More than anything, I enjoyed their great friendship and watching it grow slowly throughout the year until it would eventually become more.
I don't believe this will be everyone's cup of tea, as I have said it doesn't read like your typical book from the genre. It's clean in that there are no graphic descriptions, but still more implied than perhaps is typical in Christian works and again does deal with adultery and divorce. While I still enjoyed it myself, I can certainly see where some more conservative readers might not. Still, if you are a fan of C.S Lewis (or Joy Davidman, of course), this is one that is definitely worth checking out.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own.
To be 100% honest, if this were a completely fictional story with made up characters, I likely wouldn't have enjoyed it quite as much. It's certainly not your typical Christian romance novel type of love story. When the story begins, Joy is married to someone else---and while he is far from a loving and devoted spouse himself, she did start to develop feelings for C.S. Lewis (whom she called Jack) while still married. Again, if this were an entirely fictional story, I perhaps wouldn't have read any further. But it's not. It is a fictionalized story of the real relationship between the two... and real life? Well, it's a lot more messy than fictional love stories. It might not be quite what I was expecting... but it is life.
Despite that rather rocky start, I must admit I really enjoyed reading their story. As I said, I didn't know the first thing about C.S. Lewis's personal life and nothing of Joy even by name, and so it was really interesting to get that little glimpse. I was drawn into their world thanks to the author's fantastic storytelling through Joy's perspective. Yes, it is fictional, but it was well researched, as the added resources in the expanded version allow us to see. More than anything, I enjoyed their great friendship and watching it grow slowly throughout the year until it would eventually become more.
I don't believe this will be everyone's cup of tea, as I have said it doesn't read like your typical book from the genre. It's clean in that there are no graphic descriptions, but still more implied than perhaps is typical in Christian works and again does deal with adultery and divorce. While I still enjoyed it myself, I can certainly see where some more conservative readers might not. Still, if you are a fan of C.S Lewis (or Joy Davidman, of course), this is one that is definitely worth checking out.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own.