Lewis was a man who enjoyed the simple life, a good (fag) cigarette, a whiskey and simple friendships. I much preferred Douglas Gresham’s book about Jack, where he tastefully and beautifully describes their relationship. I loved reading about his life and Joy Davidman’s life evolving together from letters to meeting in person. When I finally sat down and started to read the book, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved it. Reading this story challenges me to be that adult who watches out for kids…to be the person who is ready and willing to secure their welfare, to offer a safe place or warm gesture, to offer kindness instead of disapproval or criticism.

I did not see a woman who was attempting to work on her marriage, although this could just be because of the author's representation, and trusting in God to work through her marriage or through her divorce. And we get to see a million little details in their love story that show how healthy and beautiful love can be. After learning that her husband was having an affair with her cousin, Joy moved to London with her two sons.There were some wonderful reading moments in this story as the author interspersed Joy's poetry and sonnets with the text of the story. We follow a family of 11 onto the steamboat, through the explosion off the coast of North Carolina, and forward. Their Eros-story led to some of Lewis's greatest works, yet Joy is most commonly known for how she died.

The book begins with her life as a wife and mother, and I could sense right away that something is not right in her marriage. Having only read Lewis’ work before and not knowing about this relationship, I couldn’t see where the story was going. He has been the host of the APTV literary interview show "Bookmark" since 1988 and has broadcast a weekly book review for APR since November of 2001, so far about 850 reviews. She came off the page as a very selfish and self-centred person, without a deep and abiding faith, living her life for her own pleasure and gain, at all costs.Dear Reader, I’m not sure if we share a mutual love for Middle Grade fiction or not, but in case we do, here’s a recent review! She ached, as we all do, to be accepted for who she really was even as she lost track of who she really was. If you’re a historical fiction fan, or someone who loves a bit of ‘faction’, then this is an ideal read for you. Despite a lack of personal financial resources and continuing heartbreak over her circumstances, Joy finds the courage to risk it all and the voice to end her marriage and move permanently to England. Louisiana’s Way Home is an engaging and ultimately heartwarming story that explores themes of homelessness, belonging, abandonment, finding a family to love you, foster care, friendship, caring adults, determination, loss, hope, disappointment, etc.

In 1946, Joy is living in upstate New York, in the Hudson Valley, with two little boys and her husband Bill, who fought in the Spanish Civil War and now suffers from PTSD.

She’s a dependably solid author …… I read a very positive review of Clock Daughter this morning (after many other meh reviews) which gave me the encouragement I needed to begin reading. I felt inspired by her literary aspirations and her many strong opinions that she wasn’t afraid to share. Nowadays, when I reflect on my interest in English, I can thank my aunt, an English teacher who clearly understood the importance of reading.

We might know Lewis primarily as the author of the “Chronicles of Narnia” and good friend of JRR Tolkien, but he was also a most influential commentator, explainer, of Christianity in such works as “Mere Christianity” and “The Screwtape Letters.

I'm also not 100% sure how accurate it is, but most of what I've actually checked seems about right. I have anticipated reading this book for months and FINALLY got to the top of the library wait list a few weeks ago. A book (or nowadays, my kindle) has always been an essential handbag item for a train or plane journey.