In this article we will review Surprised by Joy by Clive Lewis.
Book Plot
“Surprised by Joy” is a spiritual autobiography by C.S. Lewis. The book traces the steps that led up to his conversion to Christianity. Lewis was born in 1898 in Ireland and begins his story with his childhood in Belfast, where he and his family lived in a maze-like house full of empty attics and heaps of books. He was close with his older brother, and together they invented an elaborate fantasy world called “Boxen,” populated by talking animals. It was through another game with his brother that Lewis first got the feeling that he calls “Joy”—the theme around which this book centers. Looking at a miniature garden his brother once made in the lid of a biscuit tin, his young self was overcome with a longing that was at once painful and delicious. It was a longing not for the miniature garden for itself, but for something just beyond it—and the feeling was its own reward. Surges of Joy followed Lewis throughout his life. He frames the rest of his narrative around his pursuit of this feeling—and his eventual understanding that it can’t be pursued for its own sake; it is, in fact, pointing to something better than itself.
Surprised by Joy Rating : 4,06
Also book has 288 pages
Surprised by Joy Review
It was fascinating to read this book right after The Pilgrim’s Regress, as it seemed to be an allegorical reflection of the author’s conversion. The reader expresses a wish for Lewis to have written a traditional autobiography to learn more about his later life. The book is recommended for ages 15 and up due to mentions of sinful behavior and temptations. The author recalls reading the beginning of the book years ago for research on C.S. Lewis and reflects on how their understanding of the book has evolved since then. Lewis covers his childhood in a typical autobiography style but focuses on moments of Joy that influenced his life. The reader suggests reading The Pilgrim’s Regress before this book for a better understanding. The author discusses his challenging school experiences, including bullying and mentions of homosexuality. Despite his struggles, Lewis found Joy through books. The book also delves into Lewis’s journey to Christianity and his logical reasoning for his beliefs. It is interesting to see how someone with Lewis’s background became a prominent Christian writer.
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