When poet and writer Joy Davidman began writing letters to C. S. Lewis she was looking for spiritual answers, not love. Everything about New Yorker Joy seemed ill-matched for an Oxford legend and the beloved writer of Narnia, yet their minds bonded over their letters. Embarking on the adventure of her life, Joy traveled from America to England and back again, facing heartbreak and poverty, discovering friendship and faith, and against all odds, finding a love that even the threat of death couldn’t destroy.
My daughter suggested I read Becoming Mrs. Lewis, so I added it to my ridiculously long TBR pile. I’m really glad I did. I’ve long been a fan of C. S. Lewis. He was such a wise, faithful man, and he had a real gift for breaking down the gospel in profound ways. After reading this book, I figure it’s about time I read more of his work. Equally profound was the friendship he shared with Joy Davidman of the years. I think we all wish for a friend with whom we can share everything and have intellectual discussions about God and humankind. I’d like to read more material about the relationship these two shared; Joy wasn’t a very likeable person in this novel, and I wonder if that depiction is accurate. Patty Callahan did a fine job on this book, although it was a slow burn that dragged on longer than necessary. The writing was far better than Surviving Savannah, which I read in April 2021. Overall, I’d give it 4 stars.