The untold story of the woman who married C. S. Lewis and inspired the movie Shadowlands unfolds through the letters and writings of Joy Davidman, who passed away from cancer in 1960. Her husband, Lewis, famously expressed the profound happiness they shared even in the face of despair in his work A Grief Observed. While often recognized as Lewis's wife, Davidman was a talented writer with several published works. This collection, expertly introduced by Don W. King, features her previously unpublished letters and her autobiographical essay "The Longest Way Round." These writings illuminate her relentless pursuit of truth and her keen intellect, described by Lewis as "lithe and quick and muscular as a leopard." They trace her evolution from secular Judaism to atheism, Communism, and ultimately Christianity, offering rich insights into literary and everyday life in mid-20th century America and England. Davidman candidly addresses the challenges of her first marriage to William Lindsay Gresham and her struggle to balance her career aspirations with motherhood. Most poignantly, the letters reveal her emotional and spiritual journey as she faced the cancer that claimed her life at 45, showcasing the remarkable woman who profoundly influenced Lewis's later works.
