As an atheist, he managed to suppress these longings and focus on his intellectual and professional endeavors. As a young man, this longing, this sensation of joy, would make its appearance from time to time.

This search for joy, this pursuit for something that he could not even describe led him in many directions. In a sense the central story of my life is about nothing else.” It was a sensation, of course, of desire but desire for what? Before I knew what I desired, the desire itself was gone, the whole glimpse was withdrawn, the world turned commonplace again, or only stirred by a longing for the longing that had just ceased. He says, “It is difficult to find words strong enough for the sensation which came over me Milton’s ‘enormous bliss’ of Eden (giving the full, ancient meaning to ‘enormous’) comes somewhere near it.

The theme of Lewis’ memoirs, however, is his search for joy. Lewis also lets us know what was going on in his life and thinking as he discarded the faith of his youth and became an atheist. When his mother died of cancer, we can feel his grief and the lack of hope that he felt. Surprised by Joy gives the reader an interesting look into his childhood and the strange relationship that he had with his father. If you are a Lewis fan but have never read his autobiography do yourself a favor and click on that link! Of course, the world knows Lewis as an amazing author, Christian apologist, and one of the greatest minds of the previous century. His story is fascinating and well worth the time. Lewis being one of my all time favorite authors. Surprised by Joy has always been one of my favorite autobiographies with C.

Surprised by joy book