Customer Reviews

Letters to an American Lady

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This book is a collection of letters written by C. S. Lewis to an American woman during the last 13 years of his life. I found it pretty dull reading at first. The book only contains Lewis' half of the conversation and most of the letters are pretty short or deal with trivial matters. But, for those who are interested in a more of a personal glimpse of Lewis there are some interesting insights offered: Like what he thought about what journalists have written about him in papers and magazines, his correspondence during the years of his marriage to Joy Davidman (and after her death), the heaviness of the load of correspondence he carried on with many people. Lewis appears to have seen letter writing as more of a duty than a pleasure. He often complained that the load of personal mail made his life miserable, especially at Christmastime. Yet he seems to have faithfully read and answered all those letters.

Toward the end of the book the letters get more lengthy and and interesting. I was particularly struck by Lewis' attitude toward dying. He was able to look forward to his eventual death with a genuine hope and longing for the better world beyond these "shadowlands" and he was able to encourage this lady along those lines through the problems they both had with aging and poor health. I hope such a mature attitude of faith will be mine also when my time comes. It is the hallmark of a life lived for the glory and love of God.

Of course CS Lewis has proven to be the most popular Christian author of the 20th century. And for good reason. He's articulate, well-reasoned, and he certainly has a way with words. This book gives an inside look at Lewis as he corresponds with an American woman whom he apparently never met. The letters were written between 1950 until he died in 1963. If you like reading other peoples' mail (what is it, esp. we Americans have, with such things?), then this can make for interesting reading. Much of what he says here, though, is pretty trivial and doesn't get very deep. But if you want a personal glimpse of Lewis, its probably worth the read.

This is a lovely short book. Lewis' correspondent has her share of health problems, money worries, and family and work troubles. He shows himself a kind and generous man, spiritually encouraging this woman whom he was never to meet, as well as helping her financially. He has a kind and tactful way of expressing himself when they disagree. This book shows a very human side of Lewis. I found his advice very pertinent.

Letters to an American Lady is a compilation of letters C.S. Lewis wrote to a woman in the US named Mary, whom he never met face-to-face, over the last 13 years of his life (1950-1963). While most other Lewis books, essays, lectures, etc, introduce the reader to his theology, philosophy and imagination, this book provides a behind-the-scenes look at the man himself. We learn of his day-to-day routine, his various health maladies, his thoughts on cats and dogs (turns out he's more of a "cat person"), and his genuine humility and desire to encourage others. The reader also learns how Lewis dealt with the sickness and death of his wife, and, just three years after that, his own impending demise. And although these letters are "mere" personal correspondences not originally meant for publication, one may still glean a good bit of wisdom from them, as well. Lewis ("Jack" to his friends) has much to say to Mary about dependence upon God and others, the need for one to live in the present, the Christian's appropriate attitude toward death, and much more. For anyone who wants to get to know C.S. Lewis as a person--and receive some wise counsel while so doing--this is a great little book.

I read this book when I was just a teenager and I still refer to it for its profound yet gentle encouragement and open-hearted sincerity. Beautiful book by a beautiful Christian man who lived and practiced his faith. His humility and sweet nature are very evident in the pages of this little book.

The book consists of more than 100 letters written by Lewis to an American lady over a 13 year period. A writer of articles and reviews, 4 years his senior, this lady had fallen to hard times. Lewis eventually provided her with a small stipend of support, and after his death, she consented to have Wheaton College publish the collection provided her name was kept secret.
What comes together in the collection is charming. One year into their correspondence, they began using their first names. Jack and Mary have small misunderstandings (largely due to Lewis's bad hand), we have Jack mildly rebuking Mary (Why on earth didn't you write one day later when you would have the results?), and we have Jack long-sufferingly reminding her each holiday period not to write him at such times. He suffered from osteoporosis and rheumatism making his letter-writing all the more remarkable. Virtually every letter ends with some variation of "let us by all means pray for one another." He was likely to follow exhortation with some mild comment on the weather or his own activities. This American lady was not his only correspondent whose volume ran above 100 letters. Even though he said, the pen has become to me what the oar is to a galley slave, (p. 35) he kept writing . These letters are sympathetic, often straight to the point, rarely one catches a glimmer of annoyance, but sincerely faithful always.

I found this book as enjoyable--and helpful--as anything I've read by Lewis. He gives concise, wise, friendly advice and encouragement to an unnamed correspondent, and, in the process, reveals much about his own Christian walk. Very readable!

The reader formulates his own opinion of the American lady and embraces the opportunity to be in the circle of friends of CS Lewis, from his bachelor days to the death of his beloved wife.

This correspondence between Lewis and an American lady was neither of poor nor outstanding quality. Average reading.