Welcome to the Blog Tour for Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan with JustRead Publicity Tours! We continue the Becoming Mrs. Lewis celebration on social media starting March 14.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Title: Becoming Mrs. Lewis
Author: Patti Callahan
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Historical Fiction
Release Date: October 2, 2018
From New York Times bestselling author Patti Callahan comes an exquisite novel of Joy Davidman, the woman C. S. Lewis called “my whole world.”
When poet and writer Joy Davidman began writing letters to C. S. Lewis—known as Jack—she was looking for spiritual answers, not love. Love, after all, wasn’t holding together her crumbling marriage. Everything about New Yorker Joy seemed ill-matched for an Oxford don 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.
In this masterful exploration of one of the greatest love stories of modern times, we meet a brilliant writer, a fiercely independent mother, and a passionate woman who changed the life of this respected author and inspired books that still enchant us and change us. Joy lived at a time when women weren’t meant to have a voice—and yet her love for Jack gave them both voices they didn’t know they had.
At once a fascinating historical novel and a glimpse into a writer’s life, Becoming Mrs. Lewis is above all a love story—a love of literature and ideas and a love between a husband and wife that, in the end, was not impossible at all.
MY THOUGHTS:
I
enjoyed reading Becoming Mrs. Lewis
by Patti Callahan. Though the story was long, the beautiful writing
style had me so invested in the characters that the plot didn't drag.
The detailed descriptions of England, particularly Oxford, made me
want to visit.
Joy
is a complex and authentic character, perhaps a bit too realistic for
some readers. She is flawed and didn't always make wise decisions. I
did not care for Joy's blatant sexual desire for Jack (C. S. Lewis)
as it was over done. Though there is no erotica, I started cringing
after a bit at the repetitious statements about wanting him. Joy does
have insights about her behavior and desires later on in the story,
but I'm not sure it fully redeems the past actions and intentions.
It's reality and life experience portrayed authentically on the page.
I
did like the author's treatment of the characters' faith journeys.
Both Joy and Jack have this organic faith that is full of honesty
about life's struggles, spiritual doubt, and searching for peace with
God. Joy's heart, in particular, is laid bare throughout the story
and one of my favorite moments was Chapter 44 when she has a great
insight and prays, “I know now, Lord, why you utter no answer. You
are yourself the answer. Before your face questions die away.”
Toward the end, Jack seems to become more philosophical, but as this
book covers at least a decade, perhaps that simply reflects life's
changes.
Though
I've read lots of Christian fiction in the last ten years, I've not
read any books by C. S. Lewis. I do know that he is a revered figure
in Christianity for his non-fiction books and the Christian themes in
his fiction. Other than the author's note at the back, I have no
knowledge as to how closely Becoming Mrs. Lewis
adheres to the reality
of their relationship. This novel does not sanitize him as some have
perhaps done. There is frequent drinking and smoking in the novel.
Mild, but unnecessary, profanity is occasionally present, no f-bombs.
I
recommend Becoming Mrs. Lewis
by Patti Callahan to readers interested in Joy Davidman, C. S. Lewis,
or their relationship. It is a biographical fiction novel with lots
of spirituality, but a bit saltier than standard Christian fiction so
I do recommend it for adults only.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Patti Callahan (who also writes as Patti Callahan Henry) is a New York Times bestselling author. Patti was a finalist in the Townsend Prize for Fiction, has been an Indie Next Pick, twice an OKRA pick, and a multiple nominee for the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance (SIBA) Novel of the Year. Her work has also been included in short story collections, anthologies, magazines, and blogs. Patti attended Auburn University for her undergraduate work and Georgia State University for her graduate degree. Once a Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, she now writes full time. The mother of three children, she lives in both Mountain Brook, Alabama, and Bluffton, South Carolina, with her husband.
CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR: website | facebook | twitter | instagram
TOUR GIVEAWAY:
(2) winners will each win a hardcover release copy of Becoming Mrs. Lewis.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
AND
Be sure to stop at the following tours for more chances to win!
*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.
Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not
required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed
are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade
Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of
Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Thank you for your review on "Becoming Mrs. Lewis" by Patti Callahan and for being part of the blog tour.
ReplyDeleteSuch an interesting sounding book! I would love the opportunity to read it for sure.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
Enjoyed the review. Very excited and looking forward to reading Becoming Mrs. Lewis. Thank you for the giveaway chance as well.
ReplyDeleteCarol Luciano
Lucky4750 at aol dot com