Good autobiography, but little about conversion
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I was informed, by reviews of the book, that this would chart his conversion from atheism to Christianity. I was, instead, surprised to read a good autobiography about him, with a great deal of reference to what Lewis calls 'stabs of Joy'. The the last few pages chronicled in lightning speed how he went from atheism, to theism, and then to believing that Christ was the son of God. I'd have liked to read more about his philosophical musings on why Christianity is a valid, and true religion. But nevertheless, it was an entertaining read, and provided a good sight into Lewis' character.
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Not the greatest sinner...
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I came to this book with the knowledge that C.S.Lewis regarded himself as a sinner against God and a heretic until he was re-christianized and again became devote. This book should tell me that story. - But although not even the slightest sin can be acceptable in the eyes of God if you do not repent I must say that I felt that Lewis perhaps sinned more in terms of almost bragging about the lesser sins... Well, perhaps not. But the most important sin referred to in the book is that Lewis was indifferent of Christ. That is of course a major problem and one that the Scriptures is dead set against. The JOY that Lewis refers to is what is different from indifference. JOY is the Holy Spirit coming to you at a most unexpected time. If you feel JOY then you feel the touch of God. That is what Lewis want us to see in the book and that is what was missing from him when he was an atheist. He did not feel JOY. That said - and said loudly, for that should be known as the books theme - I was disappointed with the book. Vanity in young boy's dressing is not a major sin - it is a misunderstanding, but Lewis thinks of it as a SIN and that is boring. We know from books like "The Inklings" that Lewis had a different life from others (strange relationship with an elderly woman, strange marriage and so on). From this book I feel that Lewis had a human problem of not being able to relate to other, and it may be that the very sex-divided and oldfashioned British school system is to blame in this case. The book is well written but apart from the fact that it is about Lewis' life he had said his most important thoughts much more convincingly in other places (see for instance Miracles).
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I Found this difficult to read
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I am afraid i found this difficult to read i was looking forward to reading it as the reviews were inspiring. But it reffered a lot to books i had never heard of and was very intellctual and deep for me. I did think though that he was very open and honest about his relationships with his family,his abusive school life and sex etc.
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Surprised by Joy - a thoroughly enjoyable autobiography.
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I have already read most of C.S.Lewis' works, but I'd intentionally put-off reading 'Surprised by Joy'. I'd felt it more interesting to learn Christian Wisdom from what he wrote after his conversion, than to concern myself with how he became converted. However, I finally gave in; and it is a thoroughly good read, unusually humorous in some places: his memories of his eccentric father and also of a wartime troop-train had me laughing out- loud. Another C.S.Lewis triumph.
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Funny Story and Review...
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Before I saw this book on a shelf in a library, I knew that C.S. Lewis married a woman named Joy. When I saw the title, I thought the book must have been about how he and Joy met each other and that since he was an older man when he married, he was "surprised by Joy." Funny thought, but not the case. This is C.S. Lewis' spiritual autobiography. He describes his early years, his internal yearnings, his hunger for he-knew-not-what. A more honest book, you would be hard pressed to find. I give it the highest rating possible and recommend it to all. Also recommended: Castle of Wisdom by Rhett Ellis-- a Christian book that is... well, different.
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