Get a Carry-All Tote Bag for $20 when you spend $30 or more. Shop Now
  • skip to search
  • skip to departments
  • skip to content
hello,
create accountaccount centre
order historyorder history
my rewards
my offersmy offers
gift card balance
Order Status
plum and plum PLUS
Well Said Podcast
Inspired Blog
Stores
Events
Français
Display wishlist
Display registry
Display cart
Cart
hello,
sign in
  • Back to School
  • Halloween
  • New
  • Books
  • Kids books
  • Kids & Toys
  • Baby
  • Beauty & Wellness
  • Home
  • Fashion
  • Paper
  • Gifts
  • Sale
account centre
order history
My rewards
My offers
My offers
Gift card balance
order status
PLUM AND PLUM PLUS
Well Said Podcast
Inspired Blog
Events
Store LocatorWish Listregistry
Français
  • Back to School
  • Halloween
  • New
  • Books
  • Kids books
  • Kids & Toys
  • Baby
  • Beauty & Wellness
  • Home
  • Fashion
  • Paper
  • Gifts
  • Sale
Inspired Ideas
  • Share this post on Facebook
  • Share this post on Twitter
  • Share this post on Pinterest
  • Share this post over email
  • Wellness
  • Style + Decor
  • Books
  • Food + Dining
  • Kids
  • Baby
  • Gifting

  • Indigo Inspired
  • Books
  • Gifting
  • Food & Entertaining
  • Wellness
  • Style & Design
  • Family
  • Camp IndigoKids

  • Books
  • Gifting
  • Food & Entertaining
  • Wellness
  • Style & Design
  • Family
  • Camp IndigoKids
A collage featuring Becoming Mrs. Lewis book cover, a photo of Indigo CEO Heather Reisman and a note about Heather’s Book Club.
Jul.3.2019Booksshare

Heather's Book Club July Pick: Becoming Mrs. Lewis

Faith, perseverance, friendship, and above all, love—New York Times bestselling author Patti Callahan’s historical novel Becoming Mrs. Lewis takes readers on an intimate journey into one of the greatest love stories of modern times. Here’s why I think this captivating work of biographical fiction is perfect for your next book club.

This exceptional fictional portrayal of Joy Davidman’s life follows the trajectory of her improbable friendship with C.S. Lewis from across the ocean, and how it flourishes into a full-blown romance for the ages. As a poet and writer, Joy is torn between her art and trying to be a good wife and mother, while stuck in a failing marriage amidst society’s confines of women in the 1950s.

Seeking answers and searching for God, Joy begins corresponding with C.S. Lewis—known as Jack—as she sees a kindred spirit in his writing. Told from Joy’s perspective, this beautiful prose draws the reader into one of the most fascinating love stories of the 20th century. Fans of other historical fiction such as The Paris Wife will most assuredly enjoy Becoming Mrs. Lewis.


The novel Becoming Mrs. Lewis on a white desk with a gold pen, a notebook, a candle and flowers in a vase.

Why i loved it

Becoming Mrs. Lewis is a remarkable piece of fiction, and I delighted in how clearly Joy Davidman’s character jumps off the page. Patti Callahan creates interior monologues for Joy and combines that with her actual historical poetry, painting a persuasive image for us as though we are walking side by side with this inspiring woman, sharing in her hopes and fears.

For most of the novel, I could not help cheering for Joy and hoping that happiness and deep abiding love were waiting for her on the next page. When that moment finally presents itself, it’s profoundly bittersweet. Callahan beautifully writes the interactions between Joy and Jack, particularly their moment of tragic realization.

Lyrical, poetic, and philosophical, this novel moves forward with a romantic pace that is reminiscent of days long gone, slowly building with chapters and years passing. Emotive and entertaining, this novel may very well spark a few questions in her readers, as we consider our own relationship to love and how to create our best life.

“This novel moves forward with a romantic pace that is reminiscent of days long gone”

Book club conversation startersBook club conversation starters

  1. Does knowing that this fictional love story is based on a real historical romance change or inform your reading? If so, how?
  2. Callahan’s novel reflects upon the deep religious believes C.S. Lewis and Joy Davidman held. How important do you feel personal faith is in defining an individual?
  3. Joy’s early life was fraught with sickness and rigid family expectations. How did these years shape her love life moving forward?
  4. What was your first reaction to Joy’s cousin Renee moving into the house with her two young children? Have you sheltered family members in a time of need, and how did that change your family dynamics?
  5. Joy expressed distress about how some of Jack’s friends didn’t approve of her or appear to like her. Why do you think this was true? How did this affect their friendship?
  6. Many of Jack and Joy’s friends talk about their intellectual compatibility and how they both had incredible photographic memories. Did this help their love grow?
  7. Joy made several tough decisions in the book, which also affected her family. What do you believe she could have done differently?
  8. Joy wonders about Jack’s relationship with both Janie Moore and Ruth Pitter. How did his relationships with these women affect his love for Joy? Was Joy jealous or curious? How did it affect her view of him and their relationship?
  9. Does Callahan’s novel make you want to read more of the real Joy Davidman’s poetry and prose?
  10. What part of this story touched you the most? What part of this story changed you the most?
Learn more about Heather’s Book Club

More to Explore

Contact Us Icon links to Contact Us pageContact Us Shipping and Returns icon links to shipping and returns pageshipping & returns Careers icon links to careers pagecareers

  • Help
  • Contact Us
  • Shipping & Returns
  • Back to School Supplies
  • Corporate Sales
  • Product Recalls
  • Catalogues
  • Events
  • Sitemap

  • Our Company
  • Careers
  • Affiliates Program
  • Indigo Love of Reading Foundation
  • Sustainability
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  • Vendors & Authors
  • Thoughtfull.co
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Visit our store in Short Hills, NJ, USA

Stay in the know

Join our email list to get exclusive offers, the best in books, and more.

You may unsubscribe at any time.

Open Indigo TwitterOpen Indigo FacebookOpen Indigo InstagramOpen Indigo YouTubeOpen Indigo Pinterest
© 2022 Indigo. All rights reserved. 620 King St. W. Suite 400, Toronto ON M5V 1M6
81