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Surprised by Joy

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( 65,187 ratings, 2,857 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Surprised by Joy by C. S. Lewis is an autobiographical work where Lewis explores his early life, from childhood to his conversion to Christianity. He reflects on the moments of intense joy and longing that guided his spiritual journey, illuminating the experiences and influences that shaped his thought and faith.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you appreciate a deeply personal narrative about the journey from atheism to faith, set against the backdrop of a thoughtful exploration of joy and longing. This book is ideal for readers interested in introspective spiritual journeys and the transformative power of literature and philosophy.

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Surprised by Joy

For many years an atheist, C. S. Lewis vividly describes the spiritual quest that convinced him of the truth and reality of Christianity, in his famous autobiography.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Surprised by Joy is C. S. Lewis’s captivating and profoundly personal autobiography that chronicles his journey from staunch atheism to devout Christianity. In his own inimitable style, Lewis shares the intricate and intellectual journey that led him to re-examine his beliefs and ultimately embrace faith. This journey is set against the background of his early life in Belfast, his academic career at Oxford, and his service in World War I.

The narrative begins with Lewis’s childhood, marked by the death of his mother and a strained relationship with his father. He describes his formative years with candid reflections on the joy and pain that sculpted his early thinking. Delight in literature, nature, and myth slowly builds the framework of his imagination, which becomes a critical aspect of his search for deeper meaning.

Through the vivid recollection of experiences, such as his fascination with Norse mythology and his intellectual debates with close friends, Lewis elucidates the moments that nudged him towards theism. He portrays his inner conflict with honesty and humility, detailing how he grappled with the idea of a divine being and his eventual realisation of God's presence. In a poignant confession, he writes, “In the Trinity Term of 1929 I gave in, and admitted that God was God… perhaps the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England.”

Further delving into his conversion, Lewis explains the substantial impact this awakening had on his philosophical and intellectual pursuits. The book concludes with the momentous conclusion that shaped the rest of his life, dictating not just his personal beliefs but also influencing his extensive body of work, including his cherished fiction and theological writings.

Surprised by Joy is more than just an autobiography; it is a profound exploration of the human search for meaning and truth. It offers readers a glimpse into the mind of one of the 20th century's most influential writers and thinkers. Through its rich narrative and introspective prose, Lewis invites us to ponder the nature of joy, suffering, and the divine, making this work an enduring source of inspiration and reflection.

Series: C. S. Lewis Signature Classic

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Surprised by Joy by C. S. Lewis is praised for its clarity and accessibility, making it an engaging spiritual autobiography. Reviewers appreciate how it can be read both as a straightforward life story and as an intriguing exploration of the clues and motives leading to Lewis's return to Christianity.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780007461271

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 12 April 2012

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: William Collins

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 21.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 288

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About the Author

Clive Staples Lewis (1898-1963) was one of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century. He was a Fellow and Tutor in English literature at Oxford University until 1954 when he was unanimously elected to the Chair of Medieval and Renaissance English at Cambridge University, a position he held until his retirement.

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