By Rebekah Dolmat
First published in October 2018, Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan (Henry) is a work of historical fiction inspired by the life of New York writer Joy Davidman and her improbable love story with the Oxford don, and famous Christian author, C.S. Lewis. What begins as an exchange of letters overseas—questioning life and discussing both faith and spiritual beliefs—evolves into a deeply profound spiritual and intellectual friendship, and eventual romance.
Becoming Mrs. Lewis is a story told entirely from Joy’s perspective and it begins with a focus on her as a wife to her husband, Bill, and mother to her two sons, Davy and Douglas. From the start, you can sense that something is amiss in her marriage; Bill is a man who drinks far too much and lashes out from extreme mood swings. Even though there is a love shared between them, there is also a distance and a growing disconnect. Bill merely wants a wife who is a stay-at-home mother and who is ready to answer to his every beck and call, but Joy is so much more than that. Yes, she is a wife and mother, but Joy is also an intellectual, a deep thinker, and a writer.
One evening, after a terrifying experience involving her husband, Joy begins to question, explore, and test her faith, resulting in her first letter to Mr. C.S. Lewis (Jack), written on behalf of her and her husband. This letter marks the beginning of their back-and-forth correspondence and the beginning of their friendship. After two years of constant writing, Joy travels to England from America, in a leap of faith, to meet the man who will change the course of the rest of her life.
Becoming Mrs. Lewis is a beautifully written story. Callahan’s elegant writing and her attention to detail in her descriptions pulls the reader directly into the events of Joy’s life—from the hardships of her first marriage, to the joyous moments spent with her children, and finally, to her travels and intimate conversations with Jack. As their relationship develops, readers are able to see how their friendship is just as important to Jack, as it is to Joy. Jack is Joy’s mentor, best friend, and in the end her lover and husband, but to Jack, she becomes his muse and inspiration, his sounding board and editor, as well as his best friend and beloved wife. Their relationship is a beautiful thing to see unfold throughout the entirety of this book. It is also important to note that this story does not shy away from the bigger topics of religion, faith, and morality, as they are interwoven throughout the book—in Joy and Jack’s letters to each other, in their deep conversations with each other, and in both of their personal and professional writings.
Readers who enjoy strong, independent and courageous female characters, romantic historical fiction, as well as C.S. Lewis’ work, will thoroughly enjoy Becoming Mrs. Lewis.