Book Review: Surprised by Laughter: The Comic World of C.S. Lewis

I recently finished reading a book that really encouraged me; Surprised by Laughter: The Comic World of C.S. Lewis written by Terry Lindvall. While the book is a thick academic tome, I believe it really discusses some of the necessities of humor in a very accessible way. This is not a book that you read casually; this academic study of C.S. writings cannot be understood with out a pen to underline and write notes in the margins.

Despite the repetitive approach, Lindvall slickly introduces subtle nuances in his analysis. While this is great for the detailed reader, his subtle insertion of new ideas sometimes is lost through the distraction of redundancy.

One of my favorite chapters is entitled "The Quiddity of Life". Quiddity is an idea in philosophy in which you study the "whatness" of something. Lindvall states that "The commonplace becomes quite startling and marvelous when one actually pays attention to it and forgets oneself"...in fact, it is usually in those times that you notice that  "inconveniences may be embraced as upside-down opportunities for fun".

If you are interested in a high level, inquisitive read, this is the book for you. One of my favorite passages discussing the quiddity of life illustrates the challenge that this book can bring.

"Setting out to enjoy life's quiddity can lead to an encounter with its meaning. The apostle Paul was speaking of food when he wrote the following words to Timothy, but they could apply equally well to so many of the experiences life brings us: 'for everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude' (1 Tim. 4:4). It amazes grown-ups the number of 'unpleasant' things children can enjoy: dirt, rain, mud, lizards, bugs, etc. But we should all be such children, reveling in what God gives us."

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”