Reading
Becoming Mrs. Lewis
gave me the sensation of wading into the depths of troubled waters,
then swimming only to find the choppy waves crashing about me. Often
it was necessary to come up gasping for air. This work of fiction is
based on extensive research into the real lives of Joy Davidman and
C. S. Lewis, and those closest to them. Knowing this, made the
arising emotions more real, more pertinent. Davidman's struggles to
set aside the masks she wore, to understand the God she longed to
grow closer too and to know herself as loved, were blessed by moments
of epiphany, and lessons learned through pain. Lewis' oeuvre speaks
to his Christian journey, many quotes from which are included in this
book as he and Joy wrestle with understanding their pasts, and their
relationship with God and one another.
The
back matter included by Callahan is helpful in processing and
discussing Becoming Mrs. Lewis. Thoughtful
discussion questions, while beneficial for a book club, are great for
personal reflection. A gem is found in Callahan's imagined second
letter from Joy to Jack following those questions gives the reader
the gift of extending the story. A timeline is included for all of us
left-brained readers, and “Ten Things You Probably Didn't Know
About Joy Davidman and C. S. Lewis's Love Story” and more
information on Oxford hold special nuggets of information as well.
Finally the author invites readers to a seven-part podcast that
explores in greater depth this beautiful love story.
I
am so very grateful to Thomas Nelson for providing me with a copy of
Becoming Mrs. Lewis, via
NetGalley. All opinions stated here are my own, and I was under no
obligation to provide a positive review.
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