***First impression of the true first edition, complete in its original dustwrapper in nice presentable condition. He has written a book which is as distinguished by its beauty as by its heartening truth.' (Quote taken from the front flap of the dustwrapper). It is a 'conversion story' and has been written in the hope that one man's experience may be of help to others who have embarked on a similar journey. In his Preface Dr Lewis emphasizes that this is the 'kind of thing I have never written before and shall probably never write again'.

In this book he tells of his search for joy, a spiritual journey which led him from the Christianity of his early years into atheism, and then, by way of theism, back to Christianity. Lewis, were the three landmarks in his childhood which first brought him a sense of that indefinable desire which he describes as 'joy'. ***'A poem by Longfellow, Beatrix Potter's 'Squirrel Nutkin' and a miniature garden fashioned on an old tea tray - these, says C. The back panel of the dustwrapper is slightly marked with age and handling (please see scans). There is also some light creasing and some small areas of rubbing at the extremities. The dustwrapper is unusually complete, with just some minor loss and wear at the top of the spine, and a small nick out of the bottom edge of the back panel. Biggs, is correct for the first impression, with no mention of impressions on the front flap. ***In a very good white, grey and yellow printed dustwrapper, that has been corner price-clipped. The paper stock is clean and is much whiter than is usually found for this book (which is normally found with tanned paper stock). Internally also very good with no inscriptions - just a couple of light contemporary date stamps to the top of the front free endpaper - showing when the book was bought. The fore edge of the page block has foxing which bleeds through to the edges of the page margins in places. The top edge of the page block is stained yellow by the publisher and is still nice and clean without any fading. Corners quite sharp with just very slight creasing to the top corner tips. Head and tail of spine slightly creased, with a small bump to the bottom edge of the back board.

The silver and gold is still beautifully bright, having been protected by the dustwrapper. ***Very good in silver-grey boards with silver titles to the spine on a golden-yellow panel. First impression of the true first edition.

Lewis surprised by joy