Surprised by Joy.: The Shape of My Early Life.

London: Geoffrey Bless,, 1955. First edition, first impression, from the library of the author's friend, Francis Knight, with his ownership stamp on the front free endpaper. Lewis frequently presented first editions of his writings to Knight, and, though unmarked by Lewis, this copy was likely given by him to Knight as a gift. The publisher's compliments slip is mounted on the front free endpaper, inscribed by Knight "[with the compliments of] Dr. C. S. Lewis". Francis Howlett Pigott Knight (1886-1966) was, like Lewis, a Christian and science fiction enthusiast. The American sci-fi magazine Amazing Stories and the British fanzine Novae Terrae (later New Worlds) both published his letters to the editors, and he was a member of the British Interplanetary Society, the oldest existing organization promoting space exploration. Lewis and Knight often discussed science fiction in their letters, comparing books that they both had read and sharing future reading suggestions. We have handled two unpublished letters which offer keen insight into their friendship: in response to Knight's praise of Out of the Silent Planet in 1938, Lewis wrote that "it is always very pleasant to find that one's book has been liked - specially by a fellow Christian and fellow Churchman", and a few days later commented that "another thing I learn [from what you wrote] is that my sales are likely to be small since most 'S-F-Fans' are clearly anti-Christian and most Christians are not space fans!" (18 and 27 November 1938). Surprised by Joy is Lewis's account of "a spiritual journey which led him from the Christianity of his early years into atheism, and then, by way of theism, back to Christianity" (jacket blurb). Knight has pasted a contemporary review from Punch (5 October 1955) on the front free endpaper. Octavo. Original grey cloth, spine lettered in silver on yellow ground, top edge yellow. With supplied dust jacket. Spine cocked and rubbed, covers lightly marked, contents clean; jacket rubbed, extremities nicked, light foxing to flaps and verso, unclipped: a very good copy in very good jacket. C. S. Lewis correspondence with Francis Knight sold by Peter Harrington, stock no. 170266.