Surprised by Laughter

by Terry Lindvall

Looks at examples of humor in C.S. Lewis's letters, essays, speeches, and books

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Biography, Christianity, Theology, Philosophy, Faith

422 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1994

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Far too often an author takes a subject with only enough content to fit an article - or maybe even a senior thesis - and tries to turn it into a book. He (or she) accomplishes this by repeating the same idea several different ways and by frequently repeating the same quotes.
Rejoice! This is not that book. This is an original, fascinating, fulfilling look at humor within C.S. Lewis's writing and work. It covers the range of his writings and broadly quotes from his poetry, fiction, and non-fiction.
Better yet, it doesn't leave Lewis to do all the heavy lifting. Terry Lindvall frequently quotes the people who inspired Lewis, such as G.K. Chesterton or Dorothy Sayers or St. Augustine. He layers his analysis by using Lewis's works as a telescope to view laughter, but never treats the work as the finished goal in and of itself. It is the ideas that matter; direct quotes or themes just enhance the ideas.
This was a seriously good read. Though occasionally dry, it uses repetition only to further a theme and never to make up for inadequate scholarship.
A very well researched and reasoned book. I HIGHLY recommend!

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a biography, but after getting into it I realized it's more a themed commentary. This is not a book you pick up wanting to learn about Lewis's life and personality. Instead, Lindvall uses humor as a theme, or a lens, through which to view Lewis's work and surrounding influences.

Lindvall has different chapters devoted to different "kinds" of humor: joy, levity, adventures and games, wild play, wordplay, wit, taboo humor, vulgar jokes, sex and marriage, satire, flippancy, and so on. Because there's so much overlap between the kinds of humor, the book felt repetitive sometimes, and I think the writing could have been tightened up a bit. His chapters are an odd mix of very short or very long, and he splits hairs, or goes in circles, or jerks in different directions sometimes. But overall Lindvall's voice is light and easy to read, and I enjoyed this.

[Brenton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The word "levity" has two main definitions that we walk around with: frivolity and something that lacks weight. In an irony that would make the author of The Light Princess proud (George MacDonald), Terry Lindvall's book on Lewis and humour is one of the weightiest on my bookshelf. My edition has 455 pages, not including notes and indices. Surprised by Laughter: The Comic World of C.S. Lewis may be about levity, and it is written in a light, joyous, but not frivolous manner, but it is a book with significant gravity.
Quite frankly, it is one of the most serious books on comedy that I have ever read as Lindvall categorically works through literally (and literarily) hundreds of humour references in Lewis' catalogue. Called "Heavy Lewis" in his early years in Oxford, Lewis makes a deft conversation partner with some heft on issues of levity. Not only is he a mirthful writer, dashing his poetry, academic writing, Christian apologetics, and fantasy with generous helpings of wit and hilarity, but he composed formal satire, wrote satirically in various places, evaluated humour in his literary criticism, included something like a theory of humour in his work, and shaped his entire spiritual life around the concept of Joy. Lewis is precisely the right figure for a study on levity of this density.
Beyond those reasons though, there are two deeper ones that Lindvall draws out and one that I would like to add.
First, Lewis' literary mentors were George MacDonald and G.K. Chesterton. While both funny writers, Chesterton was a genius of wit, irony, and repartee. Along with some contemporary theory of humour, Chesterton structures Lindvall's assessment of Lewis' comedic vision. Lindvall not only emphasized for me the deeply ironical, satirical, and evaluative nature of Chesterton's prose, but showed how Lewis takes that voice and transforms it into his own. More attention is needed, I think, to Chesterton's shaping of Lewis' mind at the deepest levels.
Second, Lewis said of himself that "There’s no sound I like better than adult male laughter.” Lindvall roots his substantial study of Lewisian buoyancy in Lewis' life--his life of light and darkness growing up, the self-deprecating nature of Lewis' humour, Lewis' life in love and friendship, Lewis' profile as a public figure, and his peculiar theory of Joy. Lindvall models how a study can integrate life and letters in productive ways.
To these two points I would add a third--something that is not drawn out by Lindvall but that I think is there, lurking in the text. All of Lewis' spiritual perspective, I would argue, is shaped in comedic form. Comedy follows a U-shape: the descent of downward luck or fortune or adventure and the sudden turn to goodness or light or hope. Lewis' conversion is one of these turns, of course, but Lewis' entire perspective is shaped after the great U-shaped comedy of all history: the Christ event, where God takes the form of humanity, even that of a slave, and dies upon the cross so that the entire wheel of history turns in Christ's resurrection and return to heaven. That is Lewis' pattern, and thus we see in almost everything Lewis ever wrote an ironical, comedic, U-shaped perspective that is able to hold together light and darkness, levity and gravity, a real look at the world and a wild abandon to hope.
Critically-speaking I loved the prose in this book, but it is a bit much overall. I think the text could be shorter, though we now have a dense tome of "data" and "analysis" as we do our further work. I took two years to read this book because, frankly I could only read so much at a time. It is a long book, and though the chapter divisions are generally good, I needed more guidance within the chapters as the text can seem to roll from idea to idea without a linking logic. I also don't really understand the logic of the text as a whole, but that may be my weakness as a reader. Finally, I know little of theories of humour and felt that this aspect was light in the text--though I think he is right that Lewis' humour is typically that of incongruity.
Overall, however, an adipose study on lightness that is ponderous into the grave subject of levity that caries its own literary avoirdupois because of the buoyant tone and festive delight in the subject matter. Dr. Terry Lindvall's Surprised by Laughter is worth reading and available in a cheap kindle edition for fans and researchers.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprised by Laughter, by Terry Lindvall, PH.D., is about the humor of C.S. Lewis, shown through stories about his life, his letters, his nonfiction, and his novels. It's divided into four main sections (based on what Screwtape calls the four origins of laughter): joy, fun, the joke proper, and satire and flippancy.

I really enjoyed this book. This was the first biographical sort of book (besides Lewis' autobiography) that I had read about C.S. Lewis. Before, I thought that I would have liked him as a person, and now, besides that, I almost feel like I knew him. :) Maybe that sounds crazy, but this book really seems to give insight on who C.S. Lewis was.

My favorite section by far was the one on fun. It lifted my spirits and made me smile {and gave me many places to mark and come back to later}. It was the most practical- lots of inspiration and encouragement to live life to the fullest. It included stories about enjoying life, even (or especially) the little unexpected things or change of plans where you have the choice to grumble about it or laugh about it. I also loved the connection between humility and humor that I had never seen before:

"A proud man cannot laugh because he must watch his dignity...But a poor and happy man laughs heartily because he gives no serious attention to his ego." -p. 139

"Out of humus and humere grow humanity, humility, and humor." -p. 141

I'll admit that it convicted me, because apparently it's often my pride and self-consciousness that holds me back from having fun.

I also loved this quote: "It is curious that of the Ten Commandments the one to honor and keep the Sabbath is the one with the most immediate benefit to us, yet it is the one we break most casually." -p. 167

Having said all of that, at times reading this book felt sluggish and I had to pull myself through. It's a bit heavy and long-winded sometimes. And honestly, I mostly skimmed the last section on satire, because it just wasn't very interesting to me. But the parts that were good were very good.

So all in all, I enjoyed the book. I think that so many people see Christianity as such a solemn and dull life, but honestly it's not supposed to be that way. Of course, life is full of difficult times, but in the words of Switchfoot, "The shadow proves the sunshine." The life and works of C.S. Lewis are a wonderful example of this. If you're a fellow fan, I think you would enjoy it. At the very least, it will encourage you to read or reread more of his work. :) As for me, I'm determined to finally read his Space Trilogy.

[Wendy Hines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprised by Laughter is a journey through the life and letters of C.S. Lewis. I knew the name because of the Narnia books, but I never gave much thought to the writer. This book is somewhat of a memoir of the illustrious writer as the reader is taken into his life, his thoughts and his beliefs.

He loved reading and writing and believed a sense of humor was a sensitivity of character. He believed that laughter and joy could be found in the most serious moments and it's explained why he thought that, along with keen examples. A devout Christian, he found love and laughter can be a healing balm and that laughter is best when it arises out of love. A very inspiring and thought-provoking read!

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

After working my way through all 450 hard pages of this book, I get where the author is coming from. It is essentially an oh mosh to Lewis’ sense of humor. It Has one primary advantage, which is to make me realize just how immense the depth and breath of his literary mastery was. However, there is nothing in the book that you couldn’t find just by reading or rereading The bulk of the CS Lewis Canon. It would probably amount to the same amount of words, and be far more enjoyable and entertaining.

[Charles Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a rip-roarin' good time. In fact, I made the mistake of reading this at night from my Kindle, the mistake lay in lying next to my wife and trying not to laugh too loudly or fidget too much (ie, shake the bed and wake her up). It's not a comic book so much in the sense of funny gags and such, but it is a wonderful review of his comedic joie de vivre. At the same time there are some real LOL moments, typically encased within a lot of dryness.

[Blossom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personally, reading the description did not prepare me for this book. The scope of the book is somewhat touched on when it says “a highly amusing and deeply meaningful journey” but perhaps the sentence should have been in bold, italicized and perhaps in a larger font for emphasis. Lindvall mentions at the start that he hopes

“that in placing Lewis on the operating table we will not merely handle the organs, tissues, and entrails of the subject of laughter, but we will also see the risible body itself awaken and laugh and cause us to laugh with the surprise of encountering something so unexpectedly and wonderfully alive.”

The quote on the back, however, does capture quite well C. S. Lewis’s attitude toward laughter-

“[A] little comic relief in a discussion does no harm, however serious the topic may be.” –C. S. Lewis

This book was quite over my head in many places. I had to have a dictionary by my side while reading; I’m not used to that. The book is split into sections: 1) The Idea and the Legacy, 2) Joy, 3) Fun, 4) The Joke Proper, 5) Satire and Flippancy, and the 6) Conclusion: The Laughter of Love. In each of these sections Lindvall has fairly dissected the works of Lewis (and those that inspired him) and placed them into these categories. I cannot even begin to try to describe what is put into those chapters. It is something that I would suggest you read for yourself. My favorite chapter is #20 titled The Fun of Reading but I rather enjoyed the entire book (even somewhat the parts over my head).

Lindvall gives the readers a bit of Chesterton, Milton, Tolkien, Macdonald, More and many other authors, to help the reader understand the use of ‘laughter’ more in Lewis’s work and life, because all of these were influential to Lewis. Lewis commented on all of these and they can be seen in his own works. One thing that stood out to me above all else in this book is the understanding that Lewis knew that laughter “should function to reaffirm and establish what is good, right, and moral (page 311).” This is repeated in many places, albeit in different wording each time. (Such as on page 301, “One cannot keep human lungs from laughter. Yet one can seek to fill those lungs with clean, fresh comedy rather than polluted and poisonous air.”)

Like I said before, this book was way more than I expected but I’m glad I’ve read it. There were some chapters that I did not enjoy reading as much as the rest of the book; the following chapters: 22- Wit and Wordplay, 23- The Word Made Joke, 24- Comic Techniques and Topics, 28- Falling from Frauendienst, 29- Sex and Marriage, and 30-32, dealing with satire and flippancy (mostly because there were bits I just could not wrap my mind around).

I really think that someone with a literature background and possibly English could really appreciate this book. Reading it simply because it talks about C. S. Lewis may leave some readers scratching their heads, or worse, not interested to continue with the reading. It is deep; not a book for light reading. I do not usually write in my books, not even a little tick mark, but this book now has notes in the margin and arrows throughout. It makes me want to read more of Lewis’s works as well as the other authors that he held in high esteem; especially Chesterton.

And it makes me want to see the joy and laughter in life. It also helped me to see why some people may find me amusing (when I don’t see myself as ‘amusing’ at all!) and I should think that anyone who reads this can find themselves in the cross-hairs of Lewis’s humor as well. And that isn’t a bad thing.

What I did not care for in this book is the scholarly tone (if that is the right description). Lindvall has a Ph.D and he writes like it! The inclusion of so much of Lewis’s own words helped me tremendously to understand some concepts that I would otherwise be completely lost if left to Lindvall’s words.

I end this review with words of Lewis:

“For he will read “in the same spirit that the author writ.” What is meant lightly he will take lightly; what is meant gravely, gravely. He will “laugh and shake in Rabelais’s” easy chair while he reads Chaucer’s faiblaux and respond with exquisite frivolity to The Rape of the Lock. He will enjoy a kickshaw as a kickshaw and a tragedy as a tragedy. He will never commit the error of trying to munch whipped cream as if it were venison (page 198)” –C. S. Lewis, Experiment in Criticism, pg 11

Or as Lindvall says it: “The right way to enjoy reading is not to approach it with preconceptions –particularly not solemn ones –but to see the author’s intention.” And I think Lindvall’s intentions were quite good in trying to help us see the humor, laughter, joy, and comedy of C. S. Lewis’s writings –and his life.

I give it 4 stars here because of the difficulty Lindvall imparts by his elevated writing. Otherwise, I loved the book.

*I received this book free in exchange for an honest review from Book Sneeze- no compensation was given.

[Robert Stump · Rating 5 out of 5]

Homo Homini Lupus
http://manisawolftomen.blogspot.com/

The Warning
Surprised by Laughter is not a funny book. It might be well to at to the subtitle A Serious Look at. . . The buyer would at least have some cave emptor before finding himself holding a very unfunny book about a hilarious man. This would have the added benefit of reflecting the author's intend for he makes clear from the start examining a joke is not making a joke in the same way that vivisecting a rodent is not cherishing a pet hamster. So if the authors broadcast PhD is not enough warning for the reader looking for Lewisian wit and satire, then let this stand as the larger sign. The book you are looking for was written by Lewis and not about him.

What it's all about
Surprised by Laughter, like the Hockey-pockey, wastes no time in letting the reader know what it is all about. If you picked it up on the cover's merit and did not head the above warning you may likewise turn yourself about. In the introduction Lindavall informs the reader of the works purpose: "[the] study of Lewis' wit and humor." This is with all the hope that it will not end up like the vivisected rodent mentioned above, that is to say, dead, but rather as an "outburst of delight." The work lives up to its mission often at the words of Lewis himself and nearly as often at the words of an author he favored or at least found as a source of mirth, especially of G. K. Chesterton. Chesterton comes up enough that he could have had his own parentheses in the title: (and Chesterton).

Short the introductory bits and the conclusion the work proper is divided into four sections. These are based on a description of the types of humor from the mouth of a devil and the pen of Lewis in The Screwtape Letters. Joy, Fun, The Joke Proper, and Satire & Flippancy are then each broken into further pieces so as to better examine the nuances of the larger divisions. Were this a treatise on humor minus Lewis it would fail to entertain and in doing fail to enlighten. Lindvall, however, is in constant contact with Lewis who comes on at every page and this is not the examined man coming out but the living, breathing and laughing man in his own words and sentiments. This carries the work. One can't read the text and not come off convinced that the author knows Lewis and understands his humor as he handles integrating, without hiccup, all these interconnected thoughts and tidbits from books, apologies, treaties, letters and conversations. His hand is subtly in editing. The seams are well hid and the author gives the reader this greatest gift that the work feels, though any discerning reader must admit he knows otherwise, as though it were easy to write. It is easy to read after all.

The Real Caveat
The author handles Lewis deftly yet his own humor dispersed throughout is at times heavy handed and on rare occasion off-putting where it should be merry. Elsewhere one can read in Lindvall a parroting of Lewis stylistically. No doubt this could have been an aesthetic choice by the author, sometimes there is no doubt when the parellels are too obvious. If it were a conscious choice it was not the right one. It is more likely that the author spent such a number of hours in Lewis' words that his cadence and word choices started to seep in. It is possible that it could not be helped. Whatever the cause when it pops up it is apparent that Lindvall is not Lewis nor quite as mighty in pen. I am often influenced by the aesthetic pleasures of reading before I can enjoy the deeper, or in this case the lighter, but in Surprised what little offenses are present hardly detract from an excellent work.

The Verdict
I can do nothing but applaud the work as a whole and its author. Lindvall hits his mark and laughs appropriately throughout. His analyses are true to Lewis and most important of all they point to God just as Lewis would have it.

4.5/5

Propter Sanguinem Agni,
RS

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own; I was not expected to enjoy this book nearly half as much as I did. I bet if they knew how much I was going to enjoy it they would have wanted me to pay for it still. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Original review can be found at my blog.

If you've read C.S. Lewis, you know that even in some of his more serious works, there is humor. Have you ever stopped to wonder why Lewis writes this way? I think that there are many of us today who ignore the power of laughter, humor, and even joy in the life of a Christian. Lewis knew the power and used it in his writing to convey truth in a very powerful way. In his book Surprised by Laughter: The Comic World of C.S. Lewis, Terry Lindvall explains the power of laughter in the life and work of C.S. Lewis. He explains in four sections: joy, fun, the joke proper, and satire and flippancy. In each section Lindvall breaks down what each idea is and how is shown through the work of Lewis.

Anyone familiar with Lewis will not be surprised the joy is included as one of the sections because he built his autobiography Surprised by Joy around the concept. Joy is probably the most important in the world of Lewis is really finds itself far about all the other topics. It is only joy that one can possess no matter the circumstance. Lindvall explains how Lewis believe joy is always found in our lives even through times of suffering. Fun and joking are also evident in the work of Lewis. Many of his stories portray characters having fun and adventure. Jokes abound in his fiction. He even tells the story of the first joke in Narnia in The Magician's Nephew. Lindvall explains the importance of having fun and enjoying a good laugh with friends. The last section of the book is a little different from the rest. Satire and flippancy are related, but come from opposite attitudes. Satire is offen used by Lewis. He uses humor to expose and comment on serious situations that he believes need to change. Flippancy, however, is something that Lewis opposes. It makes light of serious points without the desire to correct. According to Lewis, a flippant person has no joy but merely laughs at the awful state of the world.

The main message of this book is that Lewis preaches a joyful and fun Christianity. Many take issue with having fun and believe we should all be very serious. Lindvall points out that in Lewis' work serious people think to much of themselves and it is instead the ones who are willing to laugh (especially at themselves) who understand humility in life. True laughter and joking is always done in love and is never more important than love.

Lindvall's book is very well done. It is easy to tell that he is very familiar with Lewis and his work. If you are studying Lewis in depth, this is a fantastic read. I highly recommend it. I must, however, make two comments about this book. First, it is long. At around 450 pages, this is an in depth study. It will take a while to get through this book for most people. Second, this often discussions more than Lewis. While the heart of this book is Lewis and his work, he often discussion the works of G.K. Chesterton and other influences on C.S. Lewis. For the most part, this makes sense, but in some chapters Lindvall writes as much about Chesterton as he does about Lewis. That being said, this is still a very good book. It is a great read for anyone who love C.S. Lewis and cannot get enough of him. It will help you to better understand Lewis and his work.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mother was the first to place a book by C.S. Lewis in my young hands. I can remember my every sense being drawn upon as I ripped through those pages. During my college years C.S. and I met again as a college professor read from the Screwtape Letters. As a pastor and preacher I always have one of his books on my desk. Though I never met the man, the past thirty five years of my life have been impacted by his work.

In Dr. Terry Lindvall’s book, “Surprised by Laughter the Comic World of C.S. Lewis”, I finally got to meet and laugh with an old friend as we reviewed his life’s work together. This book is neatly divided into six parts each focusing on a differing type of humor. These parts contain short chapters which focus the lens on the origin of this type of humor, his use of it and the outcome in his writing. For a large book (454 pages) understanding this breakdown is important for readers who may be off put due to its size.

I have heard it said, one should write what they know. In this work a reader will see firsthand the connection of C.S to his Father, his faith, his influences, favorite time periods, sense of adventure, disdain for psychotherapy, use of animals, fables, children and even Lewis’ self-deprecating humor. Lindvall seems to leave no stone unturned.

This book is quite easy to pick up and read in short bursts or long drives. I hope the cost of the paperback will make it accessible for many of today’s younger readers just beginning a journey with C.S. Millennial’s desire relationship and connection at a deeper level to mentors than previous generations and this work supports that inclination in a substantial way. I hope college professors will consider utilizing this book. It is the kind of supportive reading destined to be on every summer reading list.

The index is very good and would allow anyone writing on a specific Lewis work to connect to background on that particular writing.

From his childhood to his marriage and everything in between I now feel more connected to the awkward kid who grew and utilized catastrophe in fable to illustrate the coming of future joy. As I continue my lifelong connection to his work I hope I will remember to pull this book down and consider the man behind the pen as I peruse these pages.

This review was written in exchange for a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishing.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I almost quit “Surprised by Laughter: The Comic World of C.S. Lewis” after the first chapter. It’s written by Terry Lindvall, PhD, and you know, books by PhD’s are often off-putting to me. Sure enough, chapter 1 read like a dissertation. But I do love Lewis, and I’m glad I persevered, because the book only improved. It reminded me why I do love Lewis, and that I need to read more of his stuff. Stat.

What other author offers such hope and beauty? Describing death and heaven: “The term is over; the holidays have begun. The dream is ended; this is the morning.” On music, specifically, Chopin’s preludes: “they are so passionate, so hopeless, I could almost cry over them. They are unbearable.” He also loved the grandeur of Wagner’s music — I just love it, because I sense in Lewis a kindred spirit, albeit one whose lifetime didn’t intersect with mine (interesting side note – it almost did. He died the year before my birth, on the same day JFK was shot). I find it a little bit of heaven on earth when such … collegiality turns up. And when it does (for me, at least), it’s usually through books.

“Surprised by Laughter” is divided into 6 parts: The Idea and the Legacy, Joy, Fun, The Joke Proper, Satire and Flippancy, and Conclusion. You’ll learn a lot about Lewis in addition to reading a whole bunch of examples of various types of humor he used in his writing. Recommended.

Thanks to Booksneeze for the opportunity to review this book.

[Birgit · Rating 2 out of 5]

Probably best known for his fantasy trilogy The Chronicles of Narnia, C.S. Lewis was much more than just a novelist. An academic, literary critic, and Christian apologist, his life and work will hold quite a few surprises for those who love to learn more about the person behind the author. In Surprised By Laughter Terry Lindvall sets out on a journey through Lewis' work, focusing on the importance of humor, or more specifically, what joy, fun, jokes, and satire meant to him - not just in writing but in living.
While this book certainly presents all kinds of landscapes of humor it does so in the most serious way. Despite Lindvall's notion that we must not loose out humor while studying Lewis' work, humor is obviously serious business and awfully dry too. Of course I didn't expect a slapstick comedy unraveling before me when I started reading this book, yet it soon became very clear to me that it is more aimed at those academically inclined people out there and not really for someone who likes their non fiction to be both engrossing and entertaining.
My impression of this treatise is that it is a balanced work on both Lewis' literary work and his Christian faith, certainly well written but far from being accessible for the average reader. I rarely give up on books, but admittedly I gave up half way through here.
In short: Humor as serious business - too serious for my taste!

[Daniel Butcher · Rating 2 out of 5]

Surprised by Laughter: The Comic World of C.S. Lewis by Terry Lindvall examines the use of humor in the writing of author C.S. Lewis. Lindvall breaks humor into joy, fun, the joke proper, and satire and flippancy. The author then explores in depth Lewis’ each use of humor in his writings ranging from fiction to theological. Lindvall shows that Lewis clearly enjoyed humor and uses a wide range of humor in this works.

Within 30 pages I knew I would not enjoy this book. Don’t get me wrong, Lindvall’s analysis is through, comprehensive and well researched. Sadly, it’s a book about funny things that is not funny. Instead it is dense and the reader plods through text instead of runs. Part of this is probably my point of view. I read this book for fun, it’s about humor. This book should not be read for fun. It should be read for a serious understanding of Lewis’ use of humor. I would call this text literary criticism, not biography, and was not what I expected or hoped for. If I was to be asked to write a criticism paper of Lewis, this would be a must use resource. I should not have tried to read this book for “fun.” And I should have listened to my buddy who tried to teach me about sunk cost!
Review copy provided for purpose of review

[David Santos · Rating 3 out of 5]

35 pages into it and I still had no idea what I was reading. As much as I love to read, I forget at times that I have A.D.D I had trouble getting into the book. The book is about CS Lewis and how he views comedy...or how the author thinks CS views comedy, whatever. I'm a self proclaimed comedian, so naturally this caught my attention, but the way it was written...lets just say the next time this "doctor" does surgery, instead of an anesthetic, just have the patient read this book! Ok, I'm kidding, but that's all apart of comedy right?

I did enjoy the quotes at the start of each chapter and what I did manage to read, while I skim read was ok. Some quoyes and jokes that were written from CS were good. I will not knock the book. It seems like a good book for those that actually know who CS is and are willing to read about 454 long pages but I learned something. I will only read story books, because while the title may interest me and the overall purpose of the book interests me, the content just doesn't have enough "oomph" to hold my interest.

[Amber · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wasn't really sure what to expect from this book. I thought it would be funny due to the title, but I didn't find it "comical". It was more like dry humor. I was ready to give up on this book before the end of the first chapter. This book was very long and I really had to push myself to get to the end of this book. It did have some interesting quotes and such. This book really wasn't for me and I'm not sure who I could recommend this too. It was a very informational book about C.S. Lewis just poorly written. I hate to give such a bad review but I am giving my honest opinion.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255

[Marie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had just finished reading C.S. Lewis’s autobiographical “Surprised by Joy” when I came across this book. Something noticeable throughout Lewis’s work is his contagious sense of humor and his comedic outlook on life and humanity. The sheer brilliance of his work often overshadows the incredible wit that is infused throughout his writings. Terry Lindvall, PhD, offers quite a fascinating look at this side of Lewis that seems (to me) under appreciated.

Unfortunately, the first few chapters are dusty dry it’s almost ridiculous. It’s just strange that a book written about the humor of Lewis could be so lacking in mirth whatsoever.

It is, however, an interesting look at the life and work of C.S. Lewis – that is, once you get to the third or fourth chapter. Lindvall’s work is a good one. I did enjoy the book, though readers should be forewarned that it is not, overall, a funny book. If you want wit and humor, spend your time reading Lewis’s own work rather than this dissection of it.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

The main reason I read this book is due to the review that was require of me for receiving this book for free. Otherwise I would have stopped after Chapter 1

This was a hard book to read due to the dry material that was placed in between the binders Trying to explain humor like this author did is like trying to explain a joke that we did not get. It takes away from the laughter and punchline. While I did not know what to expect when I received the book I did not expect it to be a slow tedious reading due to the subject topic which is CS. Lewis. While the topic of explaining why something is funny might work for others it did not for me. Laughter should be spontaneous not dissected. Busting out loud from hear a joke or story should be unscripted. I am sure this book would fit the avid fan of CS.Lewis. While I am a fan this book was not enough to keep my interest or wet my appetite.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Surprised by Laughter: The Comic World of C.S. Lewis
I got this book free for blogging about it at Booksneeze.com
I was hoping for a light fun engaging uplifting for my trip overseas; then I got it. It is huge! And by a PhD. I took me a while to pick it up again but while often it is wordy, I am glad I am reading it, though slowly.
Several months later-I was glad I read it but it kept getting slower and slower.
I recommend this book if you are a huge fan of CS Lewis and want more information about his life, companions and writings; also if you are interested in the dissecting of literature.
Linovall does disclaim that writing about humor is not humorous and he is correct. There were moments of interest and insight into different topics (such as joy, food, wit, taboo, nature) but mostly this is a academic dissertation packaged in a book.

[Leesgoodfood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! Highly recommended. It took me a long time to finish partly because I enjoyed it so much - I savored each chapter as I read through it. And I did get bogged down a little in one chapter about satire, and the influences on Lewis. but then the author got to talking about Lewis' use of satire and it got interesting again.
Warning: read his fiction first - there will be spoilers in here as he uses illustrations of Lewis' perspectives and sense of humor from his writings. In particular, all 7 Narnia books and the Space Trilogy. And The Screwtape Letters, although not so much spoilers for that.

[Sandra Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you can get past the first chapter you will find a much more interesting read. Lewis was an amazing man and writer and this book gives a slightly different view than other's who have written about Lewis. Worth the effort to get past what another reviewer astutely described as the writing problem of many with advanced degrees.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like C.S. Lewis, or enjoy his works, this books delves into Lewis's joyous bent on life. It analyzes his works and life drawing out his unique perspective and great love of laughter, life, joyful approach to living.

[Chuck · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good insight into C.S. Lewis and a healthy look at humor from "God's perspective." Some of the book was tedious reading to me, but I do recommend it to people who appreciate C.S. Lewis and humor. Speed-reading might be an asset.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually love this book. Good bedside companion book. Unusual for the 'Lewis' genre.

[Reader2007 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book of the year!

[K. Osborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing. See my review at www.thetometraveler.blogspot.com! :)

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this in college as part of the course I took studying the works of C.S. Lewis.