Surprised By Joy – The Shape of My Early Life With Original Wraparound Band

Author: C. S. Lewis
Price: £165
Publisher: Bles, London, UK
Edition: First edition, 2nd Impression
Publication Date: 1955
Format: Original cloth gilt. Dustwrapper
Condition: Very near fine in very near fine dustwrapper with fine wraparound band
Pages: 224

Description:
Binding nice and tight. Pages nice and clean with occasional very light spotting. A very near fine, tight, clean copy in very near fine, very slightly creased and rubbed dustwrapper which has a 1cm closed tear to the base of the front panel with fine, very slightly faded wraparound band. The only copy with this band that we have ever handled.

Surprised By Joy: A Short Description

Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life is a memoir by C.S. Lewis, first published in 1955. The book primarily recounts Lewis’s early years, focusing on his journey from childhood to adulthood and his eventual conversion to Christianity. It is named after a line from a poem by William Wordsworth, emphasizing Lewis’s unexpected discovery of faith and joy after a long period of atheism.

Here are some key aspects of the book:

1. Personal Life and Loss

• Lewis delves deeply into his childhood, particularly the loss of his mother when he was ten years old, a pivotal event that had a profound impact on him. His relationship with his father, his brother Warren, and his experiences at various boarding schools also feature prominently.

2. Intellectual Journey

• The book tracks Lewis’s intellectual development, beginning with his initial rejection of religion and attraction to atheism. He explores how various philosophical, literary, and personal influences contributed to his eventual conversion to Christianity.

3. Conversion to Christianity

• A major focus of the memoir is Lewis’s journey back to faith. He describes the stages of his conversion, first to theism and later to Christianity, a process that was marked by both intellectual struggle and a deepening sense of joy.

4. Themes of Joy

• One of the central themes of the book is the idea of “joy” as a longing or yearning for something beyond this world. Lewis reflects on how moments of intense beauty or desire led him to a deeper understanding of the divine. This “joy” is what he eventually found in his faith.

5. Influences

• Lewis discusses the writers, thinkers, and friends who influenced him, including George MacDonald, G.K. Chesterton, and J.R.R. Tolkien. His intellectual circle at Oxford also played a significant role in shaping his beliefs.

The memoir is a candid and reflective account of how Lewis’s personal experiences, intellectual journey, and spiritual quest ultimately led him to embrace Christianity. It is a profound exploration of faith, reason, and the search for meaning.

C. S. Lewis: A Short Biography:

C.S. Lewis (Clive Staples Lewis) was a British writer, scholar, and lay theologian, best known for his works of fiction, especially The Chronicles of Narnia, and for his Christian apologetics. He is considered one of the most influential writers of the 20th century.

Early Life and Education:

• Birth: November 29, 1898, in Belfast, Ireland (now Northern Ireland).
• Family: Lewis was born to Albert James Lewis, a solicitor, and Florence Augusta Lewis, who was well-educated and instilled in him a love of reading.
• Childhood: Lewis was an imaginative child, creating fantastical worlds with his brother, Warren. He was deeply affected by the death of his mother when he was nine years old, which led to a period of spiritual doubt.
• Education: Lewis was educated at various schools in England and later attended University College, Oxford, where he excelled in classical literature, philosophy, and English literature.

Academic Career:

• Oxford University: After serving in World War I, where he was wounded, Lewis returned to Oxford and completed his studies. He became a fellow and tutor in English literature at Magdalen College, Oxford, a position he held from 1925 to 1954.
• Cambridge University: In 1954, he was appointed to the newly created Chair of Medieval and Renaissance Literature at Magdalene College, Cambridge, where he worked until his retirement.

Literary Career:

• Early Works: Lewis’s early publications included academic works on literature, such as The Allegory of Love (1936), a study of medieval literature.
• Conversion to Christianity: Originally an atheist, Lewis converted to Christianity in 1931, influenced by conversations with friends like J.R.R. Tolkien. His conversion profoundly impacted his writing and thought.
• Christian Apologetics: Lewis became a prominent Christian apologist, writing books such as Mere Christianity (1952), The Problem of Pain (1940), and The Screwtape Letters (1942). These works are known for their clarity, wit, and persuasive arguments for Christian faith.
• The Chronicles of Narnia: Lewis’s most famous fictional works are The Chronicles of Narnia, a series of seven fantasy novels written between 1949 and 1954. The series has become a classic of children’s literature, known for its imaginative world, moral lessons, and Christian allegory.
• Other Fiction: Lewis also wrote other notable fiction, including The Space Trilogy (also known as the Ransom Trilogy), which explores themes of good and evil, and The Great Divorce (1945), an allegorical tale about heaven and hell.

Personal Life:

• Friendship with Tolkien: Lewis was part of the informal literary group known as the Inklings, which included J.R.R. Tolkien. The group met regularly to discuss literature and ideas, and their friendship had a significant influence on both writers’ works.
• Marriage: Lewis married Joy Davidman, an American writer, in 1956. Their marriage was a source of deep joy for Lewis, but it was cut short by her death from cancer in 1960. Lewis later reflected on his grief in the book A Grief Observed (1961).

Death and Legacy:

• Death: C.S. Lewis died on November 22, 1963, in Oxford, England, the same day as the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
• Legacy: Lewis is remembered as one of the most influential Christian thinkers and writers of the 20th century. His works continue to be widely read and admired for their literary quality, moral depth, and spiritual insight. His influence extends across literature, theology, and popular culture.

Why buy from us?

At Hornseys, we are committed to offering items that meet the highest standards of quality and authenticity. Our book collection is meticulously curated to ensure that each edition is a valuable and authentic piece of bibliographical history. Here’s what sets us apart:

• Authenticity and Provenance: Every book is researched, collated, and verified for authenticity.
• Expert Curation: Each book is selected with a keen eye for significance, condition, and rarity, ensuring a collection that is both diverse and distinguished.
• Customer Satisfaction: We strive to provide an exceptional customer experience, from detailed descriptions and provenance to secure and prompt delivery of your purchase.
• Returns Policy: We offer an unconditional guarantee on every item. If you wish to make a return, books may be sent back to us within fourteen days of receipt for any reason. We request advance notification of returns, and books must be returned in the same condition as sent for a full refund.

Explore Our Collection:
Visit Hornseys to explore our fine collection of rare and signed books. Whether you are an avid collector or looking for a special gift, our selection offers something truly unique. Located in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales, our Ripon gallery has been a haven for book lovers, art enthusiasts, and collectors since 1976.