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J. Alfred's Reviews > A Severe Mercy: A Story of Faith, Tragedy and Triumph
A Severe Mercy: A Story of Faith, Tragedy and Triumph
by Sheldon Vanauken, C.S. Lewis
by Sheldon Vanauken, C.S. Lewis
I have a lot to say about this book, so I offer congratulations and a hearty pat on the back to anyone who reaches the end of the review. Now then:
Summary: this is the story of two wildly intelligent persons who fall in love, go to Oxford, meet my hero C.S. Lewis, and become Christians. Then Davy, the wife, dies from a terrible lingering disease. Scene.
As far as romance goes: by both poetic and theological (as a Calvinist, I believe that my wife and I were literally created for each other) inclination I am a pretty romantic individual, but the love story told in this book is wildly more impressive than anything I could put to paper. I mean, Julianna and I are like a five star review on Goodreads (maybe I'm biased) and their story is like an I-wish-there-were-more-stars-on-this-grading-scale. They're like one of those star-crossed lover types.
As far as spirituality goes: this is a beautiful book and I hope you read it.
As far as emotions go: I was reading this during a prep period in my classroom and hoped no students would show up because my lip was a-trembling.
As far as writing goes: Vanauken has a downright admirable style despite a tendency to the slightest hint of sentimentality.
As far as C.S. Lewis goes: this book managed to make me like the man even more. For those who do not follow my posts, that's a strong statement.
As far as the intellect goes: I need to admit that Vanauken's picture of Oxford makes me really and passionately jealous of people that doggone brilliant in such close proximity with so many other brilliant people. Honestly, I want that SO badly. Ah well; one does what one can with one's little talent and hope those with ten do the same.
Anyway, this is a goodn'.
Summary: this is the story of two wildly intelligent persons who fall in love, go to Oxford, meet my hero C.S. Lewis, and become Christians. Then Davy, the wife, dies from a terrible lingering disease. Scene.
As far as romance goes: by both poetic and theological (as a Calvinist, I believe that my wife and I were literally created for each other) inclination I am a pretty romantic individual, but the love story told in this book is wildly more impressive than anything I could put to paper. I mean, Julianna and I are like a five star review on Goodreads (maybe I'm biased) and their story is like an I-wish-there-were-more-stars-on-this-grading-scale. They're like one of those star-crossed lover types.
As far as spirituality goes: this is a beautiful book and I hope you read it.
As far as emotions go: I was reading this during a prep period in my classroom and hoped no students would show up because my lip was a-trembling.
As far as writing goes: Vanauken has a downright admirable style despite a tendency to the slightest hint of sentimentality.
As far as C.S. Lewis goes: this book managed to make me like the man even more. For those who do not follow my posts, that's a strong statement.
As far as the intellect goes: I need to admit that Vanauken's picture of Oxford makes me really and passionately jealous of people that doggone brilliant in such close proximity with so many other brilliant people. Honestly, I want that SO badly. Ah well; one does what one can with one's little talent and hope those with ten do the same.
Anyway, this is a goodn'.
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Leslie
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rated it 5 stars
Feb 23, 2015 08:44AM
I just finished reading this book. I can not put into words the impact this book had on me. I was interested at first because of the CS Lewis connection but there was so much to be savored and remembered in the book.
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I just finished reading this book. I can not put into words the impact this book had on me. I was interested at first because of the CS Lewis connection but there was so much to be savored and remembered in the book.
I just finished reading this book. I can not put into words the impact this book had on me. I was interested at first because of the CS Lewis connection but there was so much to be savored and remembered in the book.
