Do you have a C.S. Lewis fan at your house—or are you, or an older teen, reading Surprised by Joy? If you’d like to learn more about Lewis’s early life and his time in Belfast, Giant by Judith McQuoid is a lovely introduction.
Told through the eyes of fictional Davy, a boy based on Lewis’s longest friendship, this gentle historical novel imagines the early years of “Jacks,” the young C.S. Lewis.
As I read, I kept thinking about the parts of Surprised by Joy where Lewis describes making Boxen with his brother and his especially close relationship with Warnie. Narnia was one of the first novel-length series I read as a child, so I loved learning more about the childhood seeds that may have grown into those beloved stories.
If you enjoy discovering the inspirations behind your favorite authors, I think you will enjoy this one.
A Little About the Story
When Davy, a working-class boy, meets Jacks, the young C.S. Lewis, he is introduced to the joys of books, make-believe, and storytelling. Together, the friends adventure through worlds of imagination, and Davy discovers his artistic talents. But soon, reality threatens to dispel the magic of their friendship.
Why This Story Stays With Me:
1. The characters.
I couldn’t help but feel for Davy, who longs to help his family as they struggle after his father’s bad back causes him to lose his regular work. Every character felt well drawn. Even Davy’s mother, who often says, “It’s not for the likes of us,” is not a caricature. She is a woman trying to protect her son from disappointment.
2. The setting.
As you might guess from all my posts about books set in Ireland, I was excited to read about turn-of-the-century Belfast. I especially loved the inclusion of Irish folklore, including Finn MacCool, or Fionn mac Cumhaill.
3. The power of story.
This theme runs vibrantly throughout the book. Jacks and Davy bond over shared books and the stories they tell and illustrate together. Though some characters dismiss the value of story, imagination helps both Davy and Lewis cope with life’s harsher realities.
4. The historical details.
Narnia fans will find a few Easter eggs—watch for the lamppost. I also loved that the Titanic plays a small part in the story. A lovely map at the beginning helps readers picture the important places, too. It was refreshing to read a book set in Northern Ireland—my first read in that setting.
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| Section of inside map, illustrations by Lia Visirin, design by Niall McCormack |
5. The nods to classic books.
Like in A Place to Hang the Moon, Giant includes a list at the end of books and stories mentioned or alluded to in the novel. I loved seeing MacDonald, a major influence on Lewis, alongside Potter, Grahame, Nesbit, Swift, and others.
6. The Lewis connections.
The letter Lewis sends Davy appears to be based on a real letter Lewis sent to a friend in Belfast. At the beginning of the book, readers will also find a list of Lewis’s associations with Ireland.
Reading guide
Reading Level: Approximately grades 4–6 for independent reading, though it would also make a rewarding family read-aloud. Younger confident readers may enjoy it independently, while older siblings—and adults reading Surprised by Joy—will appreciate its connections to Lewis’s life and imagination.
Giant could be an especially interesting choice for a younger sibling while an older brother or sister reads Surprised by Joy. Teachers may also appreciate its links to author study, historical fiction, Irish folklore, and classic literature.
Content Notes: Two secondary characters die off the page. Their deaths may be upsetting for sensitive readers.
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| Max, the Reading Dog |
Max’s take (out of a 5 bone scale)
🦴🦴🦴
No dogs! But I really liked the squirrel that Davy and Jacks write and illustrate stories about. I have a few squirrels in my backyard, but unfortunately, they don’t wear red bow ties.
Notes from the Front Porch:
Have you read Surprised by Joy? Do you or your family enjoy biographies—or fictionalized biographies—about your favorite authors?
Tea and Tails
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If you enjoy our bookish chats, I’d love to have you join me for Tea and Tails, a monthly letter from my reading nook filled with bookish heart and quiet courage.
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