I’m not sure how entirely best to introduce Becoming Mrs Lewis by Patti Callahan, so all I can say is: WHAT A BOOK!
The plot:
With her own marriage crumbling, Joy Davidman a writer, poet and New Yorker, began writing letters to Narnia author C. S. Lewis, not for love, but for guidance from a writer that she admired.
Bonding over a shared love of literature and ideas, a deep connection is forged between the two, who embark on the adventure of a lifetime.
She went looking for answers and found love waiting.
Becoming Mrs Lewis is a must read for any literary lover
I read this book with a continuous smile on my face – from the start of the friendship, to the blossoming of romance and even the conversations – every page filled my heart with warmth.
Written in first person from Joy, it’s very interesting to gain her perspective. It’s amazing to see her grow in a time where women weren’t respected in comparison to now, as well as hearing about her work and life pre- becoming Mrs Lewis.
At the beginning of chapters, there are often small quotes or excerpts of pieces of work that relate to the text and I really loved this extra addition. It made my reading list much longer and you can see her grow as a person through her writing.
Although it is quite a long read, every page made my heart grow fonder for both Joy and Lewis. Filled with interesting tales of stories we’ve all grown up with, and romance lining every page, Becoming Mrs Lewis is a must read for any literary lover.
Callahan’s writing is exquisite – the way she describes locations just transports you to the place, as well as really getting across the tone from this period of time. It’s amazing to read stories which are linked with other famous authors and how their lives crossed, but also about belief/ religion and how this brought the two together.
I’m going to hurt my pride a little here, but I was full on SOBBING at the last 35 pages. Having only read Lewis’ work before and not knowing about this relationship, I couldn’t see where the story was going. I was surprised but fell in love with their story as much as they fell in love with each other.
It’s hard to decipher what happened and what is fabricated, but what a wonderful story in dedication to Joy it is.
I absolutely adored this, and I’ll definitely be thinking about this book all the time. A magical and unforgettable book. Indefinitely a 5-star read.
Becoming Mrs Lewis, Patti Callahan, RRP £8.99 (paperback); Book Depository
Pages: 432
Publisher: Harper Inspire
Genre: Romance/ History