They say writers should show, not tell. This book did just that. Author Patti Callahan took you right into the New York City home of Joy Davidman Gresham
and her husband, Bill. You hear them call each other pet names and meet their two
little boys. But you also feel Joy’s anguish over the alcoholism of her husband.
They eventually divorced.
Both writers, the Gresham’s were intellectuals and atheists,
and in the writings of C. S. Lewis they discovered an intellectual atheist who
had converted to Christianity. Bill encouraged Joy to write to Lewis with their
questions and the two developed a bond. This book covers the years of
friendship that eventually led to marriage in 1956 and her death in 1960 at age
45.
This is a work of fiction, so the author certainly took
liberties in what she wrote. But it’s evident she did thorough research, and I
believe she composed a realistic picture of the times and sentiments of the
subjects. If you’re a C. S. Lewis fan, this book offers a great opportunity to
glimpse his personal life and his struggle over marrying a divorcee.
I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s descriptive writing and
will look for more of her novels.
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