C.S. Lewis’ autobiography on his journey to Christianity 

Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis

| writing through life one step at a time | 

Hello lovelies! Welcome to the blog! I am so excited to have you here!

Today I’m sharing my review of Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis! This book is Lewis’ autobiography about his early years and what lead him to Christianity and believing in God after being an atheist. I want to say thank you to my lovely friends on Substack who recommended me reading this book! Specifically, thank you to Joseph Brink and Issac Angel Meza for encouraging me to read this book! I loved it!

What Is The Book About?   

Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life is a partial autobiography describing Lewis' conversion to Christianity. The book overall contains less detail concerning specific events than typical autobiographies. This is because his purpose in writing wasn't primarily historical. His aim was to identify & describe the events surrounding his accidental discovery of & consequent search for the phenomenon he labelled "Joy". This word was the best translation he could make of the German idea of Sehnsucht, longing. That isn't to say the book is devoid of information about his life. He recounts his early years with a measure of amusement sometimes mixed with pain. 

However, while he does describe his life, the principal theme of the book is Joy as he defined it. This Joy was a longing so intense for something so good & so high up it couldn't be explained with words. He's struck with "stabs of joy" throughout life. He finally finds what it's for at the end. He writes about his experiences at Malvern College in 1913, aged 15. Though he described the school as "a very furnace of impure loves" he defended the practice as being "the only chink left thru which something spontaneous & uncalculating could creep in." The book's last two chapters cover the end of his search as he moves from atheism to theism & then from theism to Christianity. He ultimately discovers the true nature & purpose of Joy & its place in his own life. 

The book isn't connected with his unexpected marriage in later life to Joy Gresham. The marriage occurred long after the period described, though not long after the book was published. His friends were quick to notice the coincidence, remarking he'd really been "Surprised by Joy". "Surprised by Joy" is also an allusion to Wordsworth's poem, "Surprised by Joy-Impatient As The Wind", relating an incident when Wordsworth forgot the death of his beloved daughter.

The Review 

Rating: ★★★★★

I finished reading Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis! It was such a wonderful read. I love everything I’ve read by Lewis and it was so cool to get to know more about Lewis and his life. To see his walk away then back to the faith.

There were many moments I could see myself reflected across the page. Some of the thoughts and doubts Lewis had about Christianity in his early years were the among the same that were leading me astray when I was young. God lead me back to Him and taught me and answered my doubts. He did the same with Lewis! What a wonderful thing! 

It was amazing seeing how God was working in Lewis’ life and was leading him to finding God. Even though it took years, God was moving and working in Lewis’ life. It was cool seeing how friendships played an important role in Lewis becoming a Christian. The friendships we have truly are important in either leading us to God or away from Him (as Lewis experienced both). Be carful who you surround yourself with. Be carful whose influence you take in. 

“That night my imagination was, in a certain sense, baptized; the rest of me, not unnaturally, took longer. I had not the faintest notion what I had let myself in for by buying Phantastes.”

 —C.S. Lewis, Surprised by Joy 

I’m loving reading Lewis’ journey home—to God and Christianity. There is so much I’ve learned in this book and that has been relatable to me in my own faith journey. It was exciting to get to see Phantastes show up. I know this book was an important part in his journey back to the faith. 

A young man who wishes to remain a sound Atheist cannot be too careful of his reading. There are traps everywhere—“Bibles laid open, millions of surprises,” as Herbert says, “fine nets and stratagems.” 

—C.S. Lewis, Surprised by Joy   

I learned so much. There were many moments I felt a kinship to Lewis—moments that I’ve experienced in my own faith journey. 

If you love Lewis’ books then I think you’ll love reading about his life! 

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Brief content note: Lewis shares his story from Christianity to atheism and exploring other beliefs including the occult (kind of like new age with spiritual mysticism). At one of the schools Lewis went to he talks about how same sex relationships were a thing in the school because no girls were allowed there. Lewis was bullied as a child. TW: Lewis loses his mother at an early age. 

Thank You For Reading   

Thank you for being here and for being a part of my life! I hope you are all having a wonderful rest of your day! I’ll see you in the next one!

Love, Moriyah