About this title: Studying together at Oxford, the author and his partner met C.S. Lewis, who helped them make the momentous step into faith. Lewis later helped the author over his partner's death, showing how it could be seen not as tragedy, but as "a severe mercy".
Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Edition: First Harper & Row Paperback Edi
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: HarperOne
Date Published: 1987-07-29
ISBN-13:9780060688240ISBN:0060688246
Description: Good. Nice clean copy of 1987 First paperback edition. (not same picture) No writing or marks, just minor wear and yellowing. Small stain on bottom edge. read more
Description: Good. 1987-Paperback----Used-Good-Hall Street Books proudly ships from Brooklyn, NY. All orders are processed and shipped within 24 hours, M-F. 100% money back No-Worry guarantee with expedited delivery and delivery confirmation available. read more
Edition: Edition Unstated
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Publisher: Bantam
Date Published: 1979
ISBN-13:9780553129632ISBN:0553129635
Description: Good. As issued No Jacket. Spine twist, corner bumps, a series of black ink smudges on front cover, handling creases to both covers, gift inscription on ffep, and other light to moderate shopwear. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Harper & Row, Publishers
Date Published: 1977
Description: Fair. Ex-church library discarded. Card holder still present. No DJ. Has cover wear and soiling. No markings noted. Still very usable. read more
Edition: Eighth Printing
Binding: Trade Paperback
Publisher: Harper & Row Publishers, San Francisco CA
Date Published: 1990
ISBN-13:9780060688240ISBN:0060688246
Description: Very Good. Not Issued With Dustjacket. 238 Numbered Pages. The textblock of this really great-looking trade paperback is wonderfully clean, tight, square, unmarked but for a few instances of light underlining and marginalia. The covers are very clean, bright and show only the most minor finish rubbing, gentle corner bumping and the most superficial handling creases to the lower corners of both corners. read more
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: HarperOne, NY
Date Published: 1987
ISBN-13:9780060688240ISBN:0060688246
Description: Very Good+ 0060688246. A tight, clean copy. Front cover has one long faint reader's crease and one small closed tear to top edge. Winner of the National Book Award.; 0.5 x 7.9 x 5.2 Inches; 238 pages. read more
Binding: Trade Paperback
Publisher: HarperSanFrancisco
Date Published: 1977
ISBN-13:9780060688240ISBN:0060688246
Description: Very Good in No D/J jacket. No jacket as issued. Slight edge wear to covers. Prev owner's stamp indented on front cover and half title page. Text is unmarked, binding is tight. read more
"Thanks to Tata J for lending me another unforgettable book! This is the second love story that made me cry (honest). The first third of the book is your typical Nicholas Sparks story. It actually reminds me of The Notebook so as I thought it would be an easy read, I continued on. On the second part (after The Shining Barrier), C. S. Lewis as introduced. It had the feeling of a religious book and I got a bit thrown out and started complaining to my wife that the book is boring. However, this early morning when I opened the book to read for the last time, I could no longer put it down and I could no longer sleep. It was just heartwarming, hearttugging, heartwrenching...The sickbed and death scenes are just well told and like no other. I read the last 3 chapters tears blurring my eyes.
Well done, Mr. Sheldon Vanauken! Thank you, Tata J! You always know which books are really worth reading!
Last week is just a exceptional one. I finished three 5-star books! I have now lined up 3 other books recommended by Tata J. Let's forget about 501 Must Read Books for the moment."
"I am very thankful for this book. I first picked up this book because I thought the title was cool and because it mentioned C.S. Lewis. Well, the Lord used it in a much more significant way for me personally. Death (especially in the case of non-believers) has been a difficult issue for me. Instead of simply ignoring the questions that bothered him about his wife's death, Vanauken sought to know and understand more...Why did she have to go now? How is this in any way good for anyone? Why couldn't God teach me a lesson some other way that didn't involve my wife's death?... After much praying and letters of wisdom from Lewis, Vanauken finally understood- His wife had to die when she did because that is the Only way that he, Vanauken, would have seen his sin and his need to have Christ first in his life.
No event is unnecessary. Not even death. Vanauken and now I can say that we are grateful for our loved ones' deaths. It took a Severe mercy for us to grow. Also, I am not sure if this is biblical but I feel that He is letting me know that if there was some other way/trial that could possibly have taken place to grow me, then the death wouldn't have happened like this...but the sudden death was Necessary for me to learn.
Vanauken and Lewis may not have been reformed, but they definitely had a grip on God's great love for His children in the midst of His sovereignty. They did believe that the deaths of our loved ones are ordained and that they are, though extremely painful, for our best. Yes, He does do everything for His glory, but I often forget that last part- He planned that because He also loves me. It had to happen."
"The most distinguishing aspect of this book is the author's commitment to loving his wife. Early on in their relationship, they decided that they must at all costs preserve their "inloveness," and they adopted the mantra that "the killer of love is creeping separateness." While I do think that they took this to an unnecessary extreme (my independent, self-sufficient leanings screamed "no!" repeatedly) I did appreciate seeing this example of how love requires work and sacrifice. Also, it is encouraging to hear a true story of real, flawed characters who loved each other and succeeded in conquering life together...as lovers and as friends.
Additionally, a significant portion of this book is dedicated to the author's friendship with C.S. Lewis, which was very interesting to hear about. I wonder what it might have been like to be able to write to C.S. Lewis; to obtain his thoughts or prayers or support, and to provide the same to him. The strong bond developed between the author and Lewis was incredible, as they encouraged each other through many difficult periods in each others' lives."
"Hmm...this is a good book, but unfortunately, it's not really my type. If the star rating worked outside of personal opinion, then I would give this book 4.5 stars. But I didn't "really like" this book...I thought it was just okay. But it's not you; it's me, Mr. Vanauken.
There are a lot of deep, powerful thoughts in here about love, beauty, joy, and pain...I liked Davy and Van, but for some reason, I didn't connect with the book itself. Or maybe I just wasn't in the right mood to be reading this. If it wasn't for school, I might've enjoyed it more.
The romance...the ongoing, never-ending romance sort of threw me...it never seemed quite real. I'm not so much of a cynic that I can't appreciate a couple in love, but it just seemed like the sort of thing that doesn't translate well to paper and prose.
I'd hate to bias anyone by this review. This book is worth reading, both for the story themes AND for the C.S. Lewis cameos throughout!"
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