NOVEMBER 2018 - AudioFile
Lauren Woodward expertly narrates this captivating novel by author Patti Callahan. The main voice is that of Joy Davidman, an American writer, atheist, troubled wife, and mother of two who begins a written correspondence with English author C.S. Lewis in the 1950s after a spiritual awakening. The voice of C.S. Lewis is warm and jolly in his letters to Joy, and Woodward layers even more emotions into his character’s tone when he and Joy finally meet in England and spend days discussing God and Christianity. A large cast of characters surrounds Joy and Lewis’s love story, both in England and in the U.S. Woodward gives each a different voice, switching smoothly between them. Filled with endearing characters and a hidden love story, this audiobook is a must-listen. V.T. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine
New York Journal of Books
'Patti Callahan took a character on the periphery, one who has historically taken a back seat to her male counterpart, and given her a fierce, passionate voice. For those fans of Lewis curious about the woman who inspired A Grief Observed this book offers a convincing, fascinating glimpse into the private lives of two very remarkable individuals.'
BookPage
'Patti Callahan weaves a hypnotic historical fiction narrative of Joy Davidman and C.S. Lewis, or 'Jack,' as he's known to his closest friends . . . Spanning more than a decade, this slow-burning love story will be especially satisfying to writers and C.S. Lewis fans, as there are many references to his literary canon and his famous stories of Narnia. Callahan's prose is heartfelt and full of grace.'
Booklist
'Readers familiar with the life and work of C.S. Lewis will relish learning about the woman who inspired some of his most famous books. Others will find the slow burn of the romance between the two mesmerizing. All fans of women's fiction, particularly works with religious themes, will appreciate reading about this vibrant and intelligent woman.'
AudioFile
'Lauren Woodward expertly narrates this captivating novel by author Patti Callahan. The main voice is that of Joy Davidman, an American writer, atheist, troubled wife, and mother of two who begins a written correspondence with English author C.S. Lewis in the 1950s after a spiritual awakening. The voice of C.S. Lewis is warm and jolly in his letters to Joy, and Woodward layers even more emotions into his character's tone when he and Joy finally meet in England and spend days discussing God and Christianity. A large cast of characters surrounds Joy and Lewis's love story, both in England and in the U.S. Woodward gives each a different voice, switching smoothly between them. Filled with endearing characters and a hidden love story, this audiobook is a must-listen.'
Historical Novels Review
'Patti Callahan has inhabited her subject so convincingly that Joy's light can finally shine brightly. Highly, highly recommended!'
NarniaFans.com "Tumnus' Bookshelf"
'While I've read all the biographies on CS Lewis and Joy Davidman, this is the one that broke my heart by sending me on the experience with them. Brilliant, and utterly poignant, Becoming Mrs. Lewis is one of the best tellings of one of the literary world's greatest love stories. Five out of Five shields.'
From the Publisher
'In Becoming Mrs. Lewis, Patti Callahan Henry breathes wondrous fresh life into one of the greatest literary love stories of all time: the unlikely romance between English writer C. S. Lewis and the much younger American divorcee, Joy Davidman. Callahan chronicles their complex and unconventional relationship with a sure voice, deep insight into character, and eye for period detail. The result is a deeply moving story about love and loss that is transformative and magical.' —Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of The Orphan's Tale
'Patti Callahan's prose reads like poetry as she deftly unearths a lost love story that begs to be remembered and retold. I was swept along, filled with hope, and entirely beguiled, not only by the life lived behind the veil of C. S. Lewis's books but also by the woman who won his heart. A literary treasure from first page to last.' —Lisa Wingate, New York Times bestselling author of Before We Were Yours
'Becoming Mrs. Lewis is at once profoundly evocative, revealing an intimate view of a woman whose love and story had never been fully told . . . until now. Patti Callahan brings to life the elusive Joy Davidman and illuminates the achingly touching romance between Joy and C . S. Lewis. This is the book Patti Callahan was born to write. Becoming Mrs. Lewis is a tour de force and the must-read of the season!' —Mary Alice Monroe, New York Times bestselling author of Beach House Reunion
'Patti Callahan has written my favorite book of the year. Becoming Mrs. Lewis deftly explores the life and work of Joy Davidman, a bold and brilliant woman who is long overdue her time in the spotlight. Carefully researched. Beautifully written. Deeply romantic. Fiercely intelligent. It is both a meditation on marriage and a whopping grand adventure. Touching, tender, and triumphant, this is a love story for the ages.' —Ariel Lawhon, author of I Was Anastasia
'Patti Callahan took a character on the periphery, one who has historically taken a back seat to her male counterpart, and given her a fierce, passionate voice. For those fans of Lewis curious about the woman who inspired A Grief Observed this book offers a convincing, fascinating glimpse into the private lives of two very remarkable individuals.' —NY Journal of Books
'Becoming Mrs. Lewis illuminates the raw humanity of seeking faith in a distrustful world. We've heard C. S. Lewis's narrative. Here, Callahan keenly demystifies poet Joy Davidman's story and in the telling, shows us the power of a greater love. I was wonderstruck by this novel.' —Sarah McCoy, New York Times and international bestselling author of Marilla of Green Gables and The Baker's Daughter
'This finely observed accounting of writer Joy Davidman's life deeply moved me. Patti Callahan somehow inhabits Davidman, taking her readers inside the writer's hungry mind and heart. We keenly feel Davidman's struggle to become her own person at a time (the 1950s) when women had few options. When Davidman breaks free of a crushing marriage and makes the upstream swim to claim her fullest life, we cheer. An astonishing work of biographical fiction.' —Lynn Cullen, bestselling author of Mrs. Poe
'With an artist's touch, Patti has woven flesh and bone onto an unlikely love story and given us a glimpse into a beautiful and storied romance. I read this through an increasing sense of awe and admiration. By the final page, I realized Patti had crafted an intimate and daring literary achievement.' —Charles Martin, USA TODAY bestselling author of Long Way Gone and The Mountain Between Us
'This book is a work of art. Intelligent. Witty and charming, Becoming Mrs. Lewis is a stunning foray into the wilds of faith - from doubt and discovery, to the great adventure of living it out. Patti Callahan's invitation into Joy and Jack's love story is as brilliant as the lives they led. I'm left as spellbound as the first time I met Aslan . . . with these characters now just as dear.' —Kristy Cambron, author of The Ringmaster's Wife and the Lost Castle series
'In Becoming Mrs. Lewis, Callahan peels back the curtain and allows a glimpse into Joy Davidman's extraordinary life and her love and marriage with C. S. Lewis. With captivating prose, Callahan carries the reader across the ocean from New York to Oxford and into the private heart of this tender love story.' —Katherine Reay, bestselling author of Dear Mr. Knightley and The Austen Escape
'In this unforgettable story of love and passion, piercing intellect and the power of the written word, Joy Davidman has come to claim her own resurrection, and the results are astonishing. Patti Henry has achieved a bold literary magic: Becoming Mrs. Lewis heals the cracks in the firmament of our hearts.' —Signe Pike, author of The Lost Queen
Booklist
'Readers familiar with the life and work of C.S. Lewis will relish learning about the woman who inspired some of his most famous books. Others will find the slow burn of the romance between the two mesmerizing. All fans of women's fiction, particularly works with religious themes, will appreciate reading about this vibrant and intelligent woman.'
NOVEMBER 2018 - AudioFile
Lauren Woodward expertly narrates this captivating novel by author Patti Callahan. The main voice is that of Joy Davidman, an American writer, atheist, troubled wife, and mother of two who begins a written correspondence with English author C.S. Lewis in the 1950s after a spiritual awakening. The voice of C.S. Lewis is warm and jolly in his letters to Joy, and Woodward layers even more emotions into his character’s tone when he and Joy finally meet in England and spend days discussing God and Christianity. A large cast of characters surrounds Joy and Lewis’s love story, both in England and in the U.S. Woodward gives each a different voice, switching smoothly between them. Filled with endearing characters and a hidden love story, this audiobook is a must-listen. V.T. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine
