Surprised by Joy (1955) (edit title/settings)

• Rated 0 stars

“Unfortunately this got packed when i was in the middle of it. :(”

• Rated 3 stars

“I would have liked it better had I ever had some sort of class in philosophy. It was mostly biography and scholarly until the last two chapters about his conversion. ”

• Rated 5 stars

“Such beautiful words.”

• Rated 3 stars

“Offers some interesting insight into Lewis' life as well as how he turned from theism and the road that brought him back. However, it's a VERY SLOW READ, and full of references to obscure authors and influences that were significant to him, but pretty much have no meaning to me (although I acknowledge that you very well may be more cultured than I am ;).”

• Rated 3 stars

“I've never been a huge fan of C.S. Lewis. While he definitely makes sound Christian arguments, I usually find him to a bit too wordy and flashy in his style. He loves to throw around big words in many languages. He's definitely well-read, but sometimes I wish he would just keep it simple.

In this autobiography, he's still a bit wordy and gets a little sidetracked with seemingly unimportant stories. But in the last third of this book, there are moments where Lewis really shines. I strongly connected to a lot of his struggles and realizations. C.S. Lewis found Christianity in such a unique way. He philosophically meandered his way to Theism, using reason and sound logic. It was fascinating to see how he used the most famous philosophy in history to support a beleif in an Absolute being/spirit/God.

We all yearn for something beyond this world. We've all felt those moments (Lewis calls them moments of Joy) when we have an overwhelming desire to transcend this reality. But what we call reality on this earth is really just a shadow of something more real than any of us can imagine. What we experience through our senses is simply representation of something real, something heavenly. We know it's out there. We're all just waiting to wake from this dream. But in the end, will you be in the presence or the absence of the great "I AM"?

Solid book. Made me like C.S. Lewis more.”

• Rated 4 stars

“The first half of the book is highly readable, but the second half becomes more complicated as it get more philosophical. It was beautiful and highly erudite. ”

• Rated 4 stars

“I read this after my husband died and found great comfort in Lewis' story.”

• Rated 0 stars

“1955...library”

• Rated 0 stars

“very moving and helpful”

• Rated 5 stars

“Great look into Lewis's life. Crucial before reading any other stories by him!”