Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life (1955)

C.S. Lewis's Surprised by Joy is interesting from two perspectives: first, that it is the closest Lewis came to writing a conventional autobiography; second, that it recounts the process that led to Lewis becoming a Christian, and so is an invaluable aid to his philosophical and theological writings. Sometimes these two perspectives seem to be jostling for position: the earlier portion of the book deals with Lewis's childhood in great detail (including a painful account of his schooldays), while the more formal autobiography peters out in the book's second half. The spiritual theme is always present, but less so in the book's first part (for example, we learn less than might be expected about Lewis's teenage shift to atheism). Perhaps the reason for this is the connecting thread: Lewis's concept of 'joy'. 'Joy' is an Augustinian longing that manifests itself first in creative fantasy, then in the Nordic myths before finally finding its true aim. Perhaps for this reason, the book comes to an abrupt halt once the pursuit of 'joy' brings Lewis back to the Christian faith. While Surprised by Joy may be somewhat unusual in form, it is no less valuable for anyone interested in C.S. Lewis. ( )

An autobiography of Lewis’s early life and the influences and experiences that led him to become an atheist and then later return to Christianity. Gotta be honest — this one bored me most of the way through, right up until the last couple of chapters. ( )

4.5 stars - I really liked this book. The writing style was wonderful to read. I especially enjoyed this first-person perspective on his past and what events he felt were the most important and life changing. As with his other non-fiction, it was a slower read due to the literary quality of the writing, but that in no way diminished my pleasure in reading it.
Reading this book has both rekindled my desire to read more by Lewis and to look for a good biography of his whole life.
( )

3.5 stars. Lewis is so well-read that a lot of his references to authors or philosophies and how they affected his life really went over my head, or at best, I could recognize the reference and understand just a little bit. That was not particularly enjoyable to me. He has this way of writing conversationally, referring to points in his story ahead or behind his current place which was quite familiar and almost friendly, which was enjoyable to me. And then there is his textbook writing style that is so charming and matter-of-fact, his way with words that is such a joy to take in. The story of his conversion to Christianity is told from his childhood, pretty much up to the time of actual conversion and not very much further. His is not a typical story of a man who comes to find himself in a place of great need who sees God as his only way out and find more than he ever hoped. His is the story of the man who came reluctantly to his faith, inch by inch through his learning and logic and though he very much would have liked to avoid it. His God is not the lovey-dovey forgive-all-your-sins God, but the Inevitable, Unchanging, and Completely Right; the I Am who will not be ignored and who, when finally accepted and seen rightly, causes His followers to change their own lives to better relate to His holiness. ( )

The last three chapters were typical Lewis. And most of his insights into character were brilliant. However, most of the book was rather dry and methodical... not as exploratory as some of his others.

I did find myself disagreeing with him about his schoolmates known as "Tarts" though. And I was disheartened by the lack of progress in boys schools between his time and Dickens'. It was amazing that he was as untouched as he was... and still more amazing that the world isn't more messed up as a result.

His varied referenced to authors and works were both affirming and frustrating-- affirming because it confirmed that we had much in common and frustrating because there was so much I hadn't read.
( )