What was C.S. Lewis’s autobiography of his spiritual journey called?
Answer
Surprised by Joy
C.S. Lewis’s autobiography of his spiritual journey was called Surprised by Joy.
Published in 1955, the book describes Lewis’s childhood, education, intellectual development, and movement from atheism toward Christianity. It is not a complete day-by-day autobiography; instead, it focuses on experiences and ideas that shaped his search for meaning.
The title refers to Lewis’s idea of “joy,” a powerful longing or desire that he believed pointed beyond ordinary experiences. He discusses how books, mythology, friendship, and philosophical reflection influenced his thinking.
The book ends before many later events in Lewis’s life, including his marriage to Joy Davidman. That distinction matters because readers can confuse the title with accounts of their relationship or with A Grief Observed, which Lewis published under a pseudonym after Davidman’s death.