Becoming Mrs Lewis: Author Q&A

Patti Callahan is the author of new fiction, Becoming Mrs Lewis. The story of Joy Davidman and CS Lewis.

1. What first attracted you to writing about Joy Davidman and C.S. Lewis?

Their love story is so inspiring and improbable! I wanted to understand it; I wanted to know how these two came to find each other when they lived on opposite sides of the Atlantic and would have never met. So, at first I thought I was writing about the improbable love story, but then I realized that I was actually writing about the fiery transformational journey of an incredible poet and writer. Joy’s life and how she overcame hardship inspired me to tell her story from her point of view.

2. What research did you undertake for the book?

How long did it take? It took years, but inspiring years. I decided very early on that I was tired of hearing about her and wanted to hear from her. So I immediately began reading all her work, of which there is much! She was an award winning and prolific poet, novelist, essayist, screenwriter and critic. Even her master’s thesis is amazing to read. She tells us who she is in the themes of her work. Next I read about her — from biography to essay. I traveled to the Wade Center at Wheaton College outside Chicago and read through her private papers there. I interviewed her son, and others. Lastly, I took a trip to England and walked “in the steps of Joy.”

3. The prose ran so smoothly, I had to keep reminding myself that these were real people and real stories. How much creative license did you need to take?

Ah, thank you for the kind words. I wanted it to flow — I wanted you to be along for the ride as I was with her! I took creative license (and even that I felt was inspired by her words) mainly in thoughts and in conversation. The rest of the story is based on fact.

4. Who should read ‘Becoming Mrs Lewis’? Did you have an audience in mind?

Oh, I don’t have a specific audience in mind when I write. I let the themes of Joy’s life guide the story. I believe it’s a novel for anyone who loves a transformational journey!

5. ‘Becoming Mrs Lewis’ focuses a lot on the years leading up to Joy and C.S. Lewis becoming a couple, why did you think this was important?

I felt that their marriage had been covered through the years. There was a movie (or 2), some biographies and essays. But I felt as if the “Story Behind the Story” had not been told, and if it had, it had not been told from behind her eyes, from her point of view. I felt that I wanted to introduce her to a new generation of readers and shine a new light on her work. I hope I’ve accomplished all of that.

6. The book also contains themes of grief and addiction. What lessons can we learn from the lives of Joy, C.S. Lewis and their family when it comes to these themes?

Yes, Joy and Jack both suffered through great grief and also addiction in those they loved. For Joy it was her husband, Bill and for Jack it was his brother, Warnie. I believe we learn that love — above all — is what matters. Also, in the case of Joy, we learn that although we might not need to pack up our kids and move to England we just might need to pack up everyone’s expectations of us. We might need to shed society’s definitions of us and save our own lives. I think they both show us that writing helps untangle our thoughts and emotions. I believe they both used writing and reading as a way to understand life and loss.

7. I loved learning more about Lewis’ brother, Warnie, as well as Joy’s wonderful sons. Did you have a favourite family member and why?

I absolutely adored coming to know Warnie, Davy and Douglas. I don’t have a favourite but I will say that finding Warnie’s wit, warmth and charm was a lovely surprise. I wanted to make sure he was an important part of the story as he was an important part of their lives.

8. What is your favourite Joy Davidman quote?

"If we should ever grow brave, what on earth would become of us?"

9. And, your favourite C.S. Lewis book?

Till We Have Faces (which he co-wrote with Joy)

10. Joy falls in love with Oxford, which of the three cities that feature heavily in the book: London, Oxford and Cambridge is your favourite? Why?

OH, I left my heart in Oxford. I fell madly in love with that city and its history.

11. What’s next for you as a writer?

I am still out speaking about Joy and introducing her to everyone I can!~ But as far as sitting at the desk writing — I am working on a historical novel about a shipwreck in 1838 off the coast of North Carolina; a fascinating story set against modern day Savannah.

Thank you SO much for having me here. I hope you love our fiery Joy Davidman.