Book 2 Post 1

For my Book 2 selection, I chose Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis, a reflective memoir that captures Lewis’s journey from childhood into his adult years, ultimately leading to his embrace of Christianity. I selected this book because of Lewis’s profound influence on both Christian literature and intellectual thought. He’s known for his sharp wit, layered reflections, and the philosophical depth he brings to his works. I’ve always found his writing style engaging, and I’m interested in understanding the spiritual transformations that shaped him as a thinker. By reading this, I hope to gain a more personal insight into his perspectives on faith, doubt, and the “joy” that led him to faith.

So far, the book has left me with mixed but overwhelmingly positive impressions. Lewis’s descriptions of his childhood resonate deeply, especially his accounts of longing and wonder, which he refers to as “Joy.” He presents Joy as an almost elusive feeling, something that is never fully captured and yet keeps drawing him forward. His early life seems to have been marked by a constant search for meaning, which gives the memoir a sense of introspective depth and even vulnerability. I appreciate how he takes the reader along his intellectual and emotional journey, especially as he grapples with spiritual questions that many readers can relate to, whether they share his beliefs or not. His writing is intricate and honest, making me eager to see how he eventually finds the answers he seeks.