Patti Callahan is our guest on The Joys of Binge Reading today – the 200th episode of the show which we started four years ago with the goal to simply reach 50 episodes. I am delighted to share it with an author who has devoted the last seven years of her life to researching the remarkable relationship between C S Lewis and his American wife, Joy Davidman.

Hi there, I’m your host Jenny Wheeler. Patti has produced two best-selling books from this work she’s carried out so lovingly. The first, Becoming Mrs Lewis, tells the story of the precious years of love and marriage the two authors shared before they were separated by Joy’s early death.

The second, Once Upon a Wardrobe, just published, delves into the inspiration behind the magical Narnia children’s series. I couldn’t think of a more uplifting story to feature on our 200th episode or a better Christmas book to talk about. If you’re anything like me, you will find that Once Upon a Wardrobe makes you laugh and cry, sometimes even at the same time.

Patti Callahan guest for 200th episode of Joys of Binge Reading

The other thing Patti covers in this 200th episode is telling us how the American divorcee won the heart of a confirmed Christian bachelor and how she came to the inspiration to frame her Narnia story through the eyes of a very ill 8-year-old boy.

We’ve got three eBook copies of Once Upon a Wardrobe to give away to three lucky readers. Enter the draw on our website www.thejoysofbingereading.com or on the Binge Reading Facebook page.

ENTER THE DRAW FOR PATTI E-BOOK

If you want to hear Patti tell us what she dreamed of being when she was a little girl, that’s in the Getting-to-Know-You five quickfire questions. Become a Binge Reading on Patreon supporter, help support the show, and as well you will get some fun bonus content.

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Six things you’ll learn from this Joys of Binge Reading episode:

The fascination that led Patti into seven years of researchJoy Davidman - loved or reviled in equal measureA C. S. Lewis-Joy Davidman podcastSeeing Narnia through the eyes of an 8-year-old boyJoy Davidman the poetThe unrecognised impact a divorcee had on Lewis' work

Where to find Patti Callahan 

The Podcast - Behind The Scenes of Becoming Mrs Lewis

Website:  https://www.patticallahanhenry.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pattichenry/

Facebook: @AuthorPattiCallahanHenry

Twitter: https://twitter.com/pcalhenry

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/patti-callahan

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.nz/patticalhenry/_saved/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Patti-Callahan-Henry/e/B001H6W4AA/

What follows is a "near as" transcript of our conversation, not word for word but pretty close to it, with links to important mentions.

But now, here’s Patti.

Introducing historical fiction author Patti Callahan

Patti Callahan - Best selling fiction about the life of C.S. Lewis

Jenny Wheeler: Hello there Patti, and welcome to the show. It's great to have you with us.

Patti Callahan: Jenny, thank you so much for having me. I'm so honored, especially for your 200th episode. Congratulations.

Jenny Wheeler: Thank you. We have got two wonderful books to talk about with you today, both relating to the life of the Christian apologist and children's author C S Lewis. Your very latest book, Once Upon a Wardrobe, is a fictional exploration of the inspiration behind the Narnia series, which I'm sure are known all over the world.

The previous book, published a couple of years ago, Becoming Mrs. Lewis, is about the romance C S Lewis had with American author Joy Davidman that resulted in his one and only marriage.

You have spent about six years of your life overall devoted to researching Lewis’s life for these two books. Give us a parachute overview of what those last years have been like for you.

Patti Callahan: Diving into the work of C S Lewis,