NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER · THE SPIRITUAL CLASSIC THAT HAS INFLUENCED MORE THAN 500,000 READERS

"A deep, uncompromising story about human and divine love." — Los Angeles Times

The profoundly moving and heart-rendering classic for anyone who has experienced the depths of love and loss. Reflecting on faith, vitality, and grief, this "spiritual autobiography of a love rather than of the lovers" opens our hearts and eyes to the true meaning of life, and death. In A Severe Mercy, a timeless memoir of marriage, Sheldon Vanauken stunningly chronicles his marriage to his beloved wife, Davy, his faith-forming friendship with C.S. Lewis and the tragedy that altered his soul and spirit completely.

With heavy passion, "Van" unravels a love story formed by intense romance and commitment, and a bond he refers to as "the Shining Barrier." A bond that is unaltered by the outside world and its influences until he meets C.S Lewis while studying at Oxford. Lewis introduces Davy and Van to Christianity in a moving Christian conversion story, and their devotion to God quickly becomes as strong as their devotion to one another.

In rapid succession, Davy succumbs to a fatal illness and a grief-stricken Van is left to process this unspeakable loss and explore the intersection of grief and faith, and subsequently discover the meaning of "a mercy as severe as death, a severity as merciful as love."

For fans of When Breath Becomes Air and Being Mortal, this impactful masterpiece allows readers of all beliefs to envision life after loss, and the spiritual strength that ultimately leads us forward after unspeakable tragedy. Weaving in 18 original letters from C.S. Lewis himself, A Severe Mercy poetically addresses some of the universal questions that surround divine love, human suffering, and the nature of faith.

It is a story of two loves—a human love made perfect, and a divine love that demanded everything.

The Shining Barrier: Van and Davy built a perfect, impenetrable love, a fortress against the world meant to last forever. But they would soon discover that not even their "Shining Barrier" was strong enough to keep out God.
Friendship with C.S. Lewis: While studying at Oxford, the couple formed a deep friendship with the celebrated author, whose wisdom and guidance would challenge their pagan beliefs and lead them toward a faith they never expected.
A Journey Through Grief: After devastating loss, Vanauken must navigate the depths of sorrow, questioning the very nature of a God who would give a love so profound only to allow a tragedy so great.
An Unshakable Faith: This moving spiritual autobiography includes 18 rare letters from C.S. Lewis that illuminate the search for meaning in suffering and the discovery of "a mercy as severe as death."