Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life ! by C.S. Lewis ! Classic Book !
Title: Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life
Author: C.S. Lewis
ISBN: 978-0-00-746127-1
Publisher: Collins
Date of Publishing: 1995
First Edition: No
Format: Paperback
Pages: 195
Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life is a partial autobiography describing Lewis' conversion to Christianity. The book overall contains less detail concerning specific events than typical autobiographies. This is because his purpose in writing wasn't primarily historical. His aim was to identify & describe the events surrounding his accidental discovery of & consequent search for the phenomenon he labelled "Joy". This word was the best translation he could make of the German idea of Sehnsucht, longing. That isn't to say the book is devoid of information about his life. He recounts his early years with a measure of amusement sometimes mixed with pain.
However, while he does describe his life, the principal theme of the book is Joy as he defined it. This Joy was a longing so intense for something so good & so high up it couldn't be explained with words. He's struck with "stabs of joy" throughout life. He finally finds what it's for at the end. He writes about his experiences at Malvern College in 1913, aged 15. Though he described the school as "a very furnace of impure loves" he defended the practice as being "the only chink left thru which something spontaneous & uncalculating could creep in." The book's last two chapters cover the end of his search as he moves from atheism to theism & then from theism to Christianity. He ultimately discovers the true nature & purpose of Joy & its place in his own life.
The book isn't connected with his unexpected marriage in later life to Joy Gresham. The marriage occurred long after the period described, though not long after the book was published. His friends were quick to notice the coincidence, remarking he'd really been "Surprised by Joy". "Surprised by Joy" is also an allusion to Wordsworth's poem, "Surprised by Joy-Impatient As The Wind", relating an incident when Wordsworth forgot the death of his beloved daughter.
Condition: (please see detailed photos for your own judgment, if you need more photos or more information do not hesitate to ask!)
Book in protective sleeve
***************************************************************************************************************************************** All Items In My Ads Come From My Own, Personal Collection. Photos And Description Are Of The Exact Item You Will Receive. I Always Try to Take As Many Photos As Possible To Show/Reflect Condition Of The Item. I Would Be Glad To Answer Any Questions Or Concerns You Might Have.
*****************************************************************************************************************************************
For more Rare Books, Cheap Books, Signed Books, First Editions, Uncorrected Bound Proofs, Autographs and Advanced Reading Copies PLEASE SEE MY OTHER ADS
http://www.adverts.ie/search/user-1462668/status_active/type_all
Thanks for looking
- Collection
- Post/Courier
- To be arranged
- Cash
- Paypal
- Bank transfer
1 month ago
946