Book Review

Becoming Mrs. Lewis

The improbable love story of Joy Davidman and C.S. Lewis

By Patti Callahan

This book is essentially a love story—a love of literature and ideas and a love between a husband and wife.  

Joy’s story begins as a young woman with two small children married to an alcoholic husband. Joy has put her career on hold and is trying to be the woman her husband demands. One night when her husband threatens suicide (not for the first time,) Joy falls on her knees and has an encounter with grace so strong that it will define the rest of her life. In order to sort out within herself what happened that night she begins writing to C.S. Lewis looking for spiritual answers. So begins this amazing story.

Joy’s marriage continues to deteriorate as does her health. In order to heal she takes a sabbatical to England to write, regain her health and to meet Lewis. During this time her husband is at home with their two sons and her cousin, who is looking after the family. Her husband and cousin begin an affair that results in the end of the marriage. Joy then moves to England with her two sons as she has fallen in love with the culture and intellectual society. England and  her friendship with Lewis and his brother have become integral to Joy.

Throughout the narrative of this novel we are given a picture of Joy’s friendship with the Lewis brothers and her progress in her spiritual life. You learn how she influenced Jack, as Lewis was known to her, and how she worked with him on many of his writings. Callahan has meticulously researched the book so that the novel  reads like a memoir rather than a work of fiction. The descriptions of the countryside around Oxford and Lewis’ home, the Kilns, are picturesque and give a feel for the landscape. The description of Joy’s life with her sons and the ongoing troubles with her ex-husband add to the story of these remarkable people.

The romance between Lewis and Davidman was slow to develop.  Joy was in love with Jack early on in her friendship, but it took Lewis time to come to terms with her divorce from her first husband and to reconcile the teaching of the Church and his beliefs about divorce. The growth of their deep and abiding love as told in this historical novel will touch your heart and keep you reading until the end.

Another benefit for me is that I have taken the time to learn more about Joy Davidman’s writings and hope to review her book on the Ten Commandments in a future blog.

The book is available in the church library and I recommend reading it.

Reviewed by Linda Cliff