Becoming Mrs. Lewis: Expanded Edition

I was really captured by her style, her sense of possible dialogue. The sonnets were a treat too. I will go and read some of Joy 's works. I am truly captivated by this beautiful redemptive love story. I know it is a work of fiction, but it was so real. I would read it again but I have so many books to get to! Highly recommend!

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.

Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan has just been released in an expanded edition which includes discussion questions, a timeline, and several other "extras." Originally published in 2018, Becoming Mrs. Lewis was awarded the 2019 Christy Award. Knowing this, when the opportunity came about to read this book, I grabbed it because it's C.S. Lewis and Joy Davidman.A large part of this books consists of letters written back and forth between Lewis and Davidman while she was still married to her first husband. As Davidman had recently become a believer and was introduced to C.S. Lewis' non-fiction works, it was natural for her write as she was a published author herself. As their friendship grew, life circumstances took her to England where she met Lewis in person. Later returning to England with her two young sons, she continued her friendship with Lewis who also helped her to find a school for her sons and introduced her to others. During this time frame their relationship was very platonic but Callahan's version of the story definitely shows how Joy was finding herself falling for him.One of the first things to remember when reading this book is that while based on the true story of Lewis and Davidman's exchange of letters and then marriage,it is fiction and Callahan emphasizes that she imagined the letters based on the research she did. I did find reading these imagined letters and the story which is written from Joy Davidman's point of view a bit uncomfortable as it definitely plays up a physical attraction that Joy felt for Lewis. However, it also demonstrates the humanity of someone whom we are prone to put on a pedestal. After reading Becoming Mrs. Lewis, I want to go back and re-read Lewis's work and in some cases read for the first time. I also want to reacquaint myself with Davidman's work which I had previously studied as an English major.Disclosure of Material Connection: I received Becoming Mrs. Lewis from Thomas Nelson Publishing via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

I really enjoyed this book about the woman who became a soul mate for C S Lewis and married him late in life. It is an inspiring story. The descriptions of Oxford University and the writer's home are fascinating.

This biography , both from Joy herself and Patti Callahan, is a well written, wonderful account of two people finding each other and the deepest of love as soul-mates, then nurturing it to complete love. No matter how short that time in one’s life could be, it is an immense blessing, like redemption, after heartache, or never having known love. I am living it now, and can only say it is a miracle, a blessing from my Heavenly Father.

Beautifully written! I was enthralled by the book, especially as it seemed so real, truly making us feel that Joy herself was writing. I was sure the author had had access to diaries and to all the letters, but then learned that at least the letters between Joy and Jack had been destroyed! So she had to be extremely creative and extrapolate from other sources both conversations and letters. I enjoyed learning something about Joy's literary work, which I knew nothing about, and loved the snippets of her sonnets in each chapter.I only found one typo, egg yoke instead of yolk. Forgive me, I am an incorrigible editor in that sense.

Good read, learned a lot.

I was recommended this book and it completely held me captive! Beautifully written around diary excerpts. I had no knowledge of the real life history of CS Lewis and Joy Davidson. I had only read some of CS Lewis books as a child and young adult. What a love story. I want to visit Oxford and read more books from and about these amazing people. The author helpfully lists a lot of suggested reading at the end of the book.

Sublime. Passion filled, simple faith truths, beautiful language. Anyone who seeks the reality of love would appreciate this book in all it's forms but most importantly, in it's truest sense. God is Love.