Surprised by Joy

A few months ago I received a gift from a cousin for participating in his wedding. It was a medium-sized book by C.S. Lewis. Not expecting much, I started it that evening, but little did I know how strongly it would enthrall me from the very first chapter.

With a comprehensive vocabulary and astounding way of describing things, C.S. Lewis outlines his intellectual and spiritual journey through the early years of his life, telling of his espousal of atheism and return to Christianity. In this autobiography of a conversion, I was continually amazed at C.S. Lewis’ literary genius and ability to put into words thoughts and feelings we have all experieneced, and which I’ve been aware of but never attempted to define before!

At one point, when describing a situation from his own life, he makes an interesting observation: “Nothing, I suspect, is more astonishing” (and, may I add, more exciting) “in any man’s life than the discovery that there do exist people very, very like himself.” This fact is, I believe, the reason this book was so thrilling for me to read.

The central motif of his story is the course of “Joy” in his life, which he defines as “the sublime experience of the transcendent” and must be strictly distinguished from both happiness and pleasure. It is that “unsatisfied desire which is itself more desirable than any other satisfaction”, and which, when experienced, becomes of incalculable importance and causes all else to appear insignificant in comparison.

It is at the culmination of the book when he discovers that this “Joy” – that fleeting glimpse of the eternal – is actually a harbinger, a precursor of a greater Something (or rather, Someone), and finds true satisfaction in a fulfilling relationship with That which Joy was pointing towards.

One of the most influential Christian writers of the 20th centuryI had previously associated C.S. Lewis exclusively with “The Chronicles of Narnia”, but reading Surprised by Joy”  has broadened my understanding of him as an author. If his other works are as spiritually and intellectually rich and engrossing as this one, I certainly anticipate reading them!

7 Comments

  1. Robert October 6, 2007 at 8:55 pm #

    Excellent report, Daniel! Now I want to read the book myself. 🙂 I know C.S. Lewis is one author that Dad has particularly enjoyed.

  2. Daniel October 7, 2007 at 7:01 am #

    Sounds like a deal, Robert. You read mine, and I’ll read the book they gave you! Since both are here at the house, though…I’m liking the idea more and more! 🙂

    I definitely recommend it. You can tell he is writing from a life full of experience!

  3. Donald October 9, 2007 at 12:23 pm #

    Thanks from my side of the world too Daniel. “The joy of the unexpected” was one of my first and very memorable lessons in serving in a foreign country. Now, I am refreshed by your well-written reminder of Christ’s untold joy.

    PS I taught the Library class on Monday and, not finding the book we normally read, Curious George, I spied the first of the Chronices … on a shelf nearby. I read some of the first chapter for our story time because it was a favorite of one of the boys in the class. Once again C.S. Lewis’ straighforward and picturesque way of writing delighted my heart.

    Note of caution! The boy who liked that book also liked books on witchcraft. It goes to show that toleration of magic (or fiction, Philippians 4:8) can definitely lead children away from our sovereign Lord rather than to Him as Mr. Lewis intended.

  4. James October 10, 2007 at 7:15 am #

    I am very much looking forward to delving into that book sometime soon. Thanks for your inclusive and inspiring review.

  5. Esther October 15, 2007 at 6:55 pm #

    The writings of C.S. Lewis are so captivating! It’s been a long time, but what I remember of his “Mere Christianity” was very good too.

    Excellent thoughts Donald. I’ve thought about the danger of magic in stories but never quite put it into words that well.

  6. Dad October 21, 2007 at 1:44 pm #

    Keep reading books written by heros of the faith.

  7. Don Logsdon December 16, 2009 at 5:16 am #

    Daniel, Sounds like you’ve connected with C.S.Lewis! You will also enjoy “The Screw Tape Letters” and “The great divorse”. I learned so much from them and it was as if Lewis was talking in a language I understood! He seem to know my questions and had excellant answers! And don’t forget “The Chronicles of Narnia” I have enjoyed reading them with the kids. Lewis is one of my all time favorites. You may also enjoy works by George MacDonald, Phillip Yancey and Tolkien. In the line of fiction I came across a series by Joel Rosenburg (he is a converted Jew who attends McClain Bible Church) and also has a couple of interesting commentaries on end time prophicies.

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