Surprised by Joy cover art

Surprised by Joy

The Shape of My Early Life

 Preview

Audible Standard 30-day free trial

Try Standard free
Select 1 audiobook a month from our entire collection.
Listen to your selected audiobooks as long as you're a member.
Get unlimited access to bingeable podcasts.
Standard auto renews for £5.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Surprised by Joy

By: C. S. Lewis
Narrated by: Ralph Cosham
Try Standard free

£5.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for £13.77

Buy Now for £13.77

About this listen

In the closest thing we have to an autobiography, C. S. Lewis, an unfailingly honest and perceptive observer of self, here shares the story of his personal spiritual journey. With characteristic candor and insight, he describes how his “search for joy” led him from the conventional Christianity of his childhood to a youthful atheism, and finally back to an assured Christianity compatible with his formidable intellect. With no pretense, Lewis describes his early schooldays, his experiences in the trenches during World War I, and his undergraduate life at Oxford, where he reasoned his way to God. Lewis’ “surprise” holds continuing interest not only for admirers of his work but for any modern seeker concerned with the compatibility of the rational and the spiritual.

Click here to see all the titles in our C.S. Lewis collection.©1955 C. S. Lewis Pte. Ltd. (P)2000 Blackstone Audiobooks Art & Literature Authors Biographies Christianity Inspiring
All stars
Most relevant
the narrator has to speak French and Latin at points, fair play and his voice suits the era...its tough in places but an amazing historical account...mixed in with Cs Lewis illuminating gems.

it's a brain stretch!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Amazing insights into an amazing man. The last few chapters by far the best part of the book.

Autobiography of CS Lewis

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Great for learning more about CS Lewis personal life, especially his childhood, and his philosophical/thought-journey from Atheism to Christianity. If you love his books you won't be disappointed with this one.

Great insight into CS Lewis' personal story

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Enjoyed this book a lot more than I expected, was struck by Lewis and his observations of life and learning. His use of the language is from another age but still not off-putting.

Enlightening and engaging.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

What did you like most about Surprised by Joy?

I was first introduced to C S Lewis by 2 friends, separately. The title, Mere Christianity, was both an eye opener and a mind opener. Of course, I was minded to enjoy it anyway, being a Christian myself, but he was an intellectual Christian - a novelty to me - and I was amazed! I would highly recommend that book to everyone, Theists and Atheists alike.

This book, Surprised by Joy, is a semi autobiographical telling of how Lewis went from a childish belief in God, to Materialism, Atheism, the Occult & other isms, to Christianity. It makes for very interesting reading. I had only intended to read a couple of chapters tonight, instead I read the whole book! Impressive how he gained his acceptance of God through his extensive perusal of the classics!

What other book might you compare Surprised by Joy to, and why?

If you haven't read it already, your next title to follow this one should be, Mere Christianity, Lewis's Apologetics book! It makes great reading and is Christianity for intellectuals.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Discovering God Through The Classics!

Any additional comments?

Since my first introduction to C S LEWIS, I have read and re-read many of his Christian books. I will always re-read Mere Christianity twice a year. He had also written an essay called "The Trouble With X". You must read it, it's about you!

Surprised by the journey!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
See more reviews