I have long been a CS Lewis fan, and was drawn to this book when the publisher offered it (free) for review for that reason. “Surprised by Laughter” sure surprised me, but my initial reaction was not laughter! I really struggled to get into it: if it hadn’t been for the need to write a review, I likely would have quit. However, with perseverance came the reward. The more I read, the more it caught my interest.
The author, Terry Lindvall PhD, gives an indepth look at Lewis’ writings, dividing his “dissertation” into 6 sections: The Idea and the Legacy, Joy, Fun, The Joke Proper, Satire and Flippancy, and Conclusion: the Laughter of Love. Lindvall draws from books, letters, conversations, and shorter works of C.S. Lewis, revealing his ability to find joy and laughter in his surroundings. He also introduces us to other authors who had an effect on Lewis: Chesterton, Milton, and Tolkien, among others.
Although I ended up enjoying this book a lot more than I thought I would, I would not recommend it very highly. There is a lot of repetition; reducing the book by about half would have been a good idea. The author is a PhD, and the pedantic language in some sections would be a deterrent to many. If you’re looking for a light read, don’t pick this book! If, on the other hand, you love C.S.Lewis, and want to learn more about those who influenced him, as well as his satirical sense of humour, you will enjoy “Surprised by Laughter”.
I received this book free of charge from Thomas Nelson Publishers, and was not required to write a positive review.
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