Spirits in Bondage was C. S. Lewis's first published work, originally published under the pseudonym Clive Hamilton. The poems take on several styles and rhythms throughout the three sections of poetry contained in the book. This work stands out among Lewis's writings not only because of the focus on poetry rather than prose, but because the author had not yet made his conversion to Christianity; therefore the themes and worldviews offered in Spirits in Bondage differ greatly from those for which Lewis is most well known.