Which C.S. Lewis book retells the story of his conversion to Christianity?

Surprised by Joy retells C.S. Lewis’s intellectual and spiritual journey toward Christianity.

Published in 1955, Surprised by Joy is an autobiography covering Lewis’s childhood, education, service in the First World War, academic development, and changing religious beliefs. It describes his movement from childhood Christianity to atheism, then through theism and ultimately to Christianity.

Lewis presents conversion through the idea of “joy,” a powerful longing or desire that he regarded as pointing beyond ordinary experiences. The book does not give a complete day-by-day record of every conversion event; instead, it traces the experiences, books, friendships, and arguments that shaped his outlook.

The work is often confused with The Pilgrim’s Regress, an allegorical novel influenced by Lewis’s conversion, or with Mere Christianity, which developed from broadcast talks. Surprised by Joy is the autobiographical account, although it is selective and interpretive rather than a complete chronological diary.