(1929 1st edition djs of Knister’s first novel; left: U.S. Harcourt, Brace; right: U.K.–Jonathan Cape–illustrated by Drake Brookshaw; also used for Canadian ed.: Macmillan)
(the book which nearly was not published after Knister’s death–small printing 1934 Ryerson, available in U.K. and Canada; illustration–Abbey)
(edited by Knister’s young poet-friend Dorothy Livesay; Ryerson, 1949 dj; includes memoir by Livesay & this photo of Knister and his daughter Imogen, 1932)
(John) Raymond Knister (1899-1932) was born in Ruscom Station, Ontario and was variously a farm worker, taxi driver, poet, and novelist. He spent 8 months researching John Keats’ life which culminated in the factually-based My Star Predominant, which won the Graphic Publishers Canadian Novel contest, and then lay dormant when the sponsor folded, until Ryerson brought it out later. Tragically, Knister died young in a swimming accident; young poet-friend Dorothy Livesay speculated his death was a suicide. White Narcissus is his best-known work.