Book Review: Dorothy and Jack

 

Dorothy and Jack

The Transforming Friendship of Dorothy L. Sayers and C. S. Lewis

by Gina Dalfonzo

Baker Books 

 Christian 

Pub Date 18 Aug 2020

I am reviewing a copy of Dorothy and Jack through Baker Books and Netgalley:

Dorothy and Jack were both highly intelligent, perceptive, and creative from the start, developing a deep knowledge of and passion for literature.  They had both attended Oxford University, they had both graduated with honors and had become famous authors of novels, essays, scholarly works, and more.

Jack had more of a spirit of contentment while Dorothy Sayers had an adventurous, even reckless one. His manner was winsome if boisterous, hers just plain blunt. Much of what came naturally to her, in work and in life, was difficult for him, and vice versa.   

Both Oxford University and the town that surrounded it were in turmoil during the First World War, as was the rest of Great Britain “Both students and citizens were rapidly enlisting, and college buildings were being used for training, as hospitals, and to house refugees from the war-torn European continent.”

Jack at eighteen had dreamed of attending Oxford University but when he arrived in the spring, he knew he would not be there for long.

This book shows us what happens when we are able to push past the surface in order to allow mutually challenging, and edifying friendships to develop.  In order to this we need to look at the little known friendship between two prominent Christian thinkers Dorothy L. Sayers and C. S. Lewis.  

The friendship between Dorothy L Sayers was born out of a letter the Mystery novelist wrote to Lewis as his star was just beginning to rise, this friendship between a married woman and a longtime bachelor developed over years of correspondence as the two discovered their mutual admiration of each other's writing, thinking, and faith.

This book shows a friendship of a man and women at a time when many still do not think a man and women could be friends while still remaining faithful to their spouses.

I give Dorothy and Jack five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!