A Certain Smile, Françoise Sagan — 1st UK Edition

£45.50

A Certain Smile, Françoise Sagan — 1st UK Edition

Name: A Certain Smile, Françoise Sagan — 1st UK Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4056-RM-F-VG-9
Price: 45.50 GBP
Availability: InStock

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£45.50

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Publication: London, John Murray, 1956.

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 132.

Condition Report: Near Fine; Very Good dust jacket. The original red cloth boards are exceptionally bright and clean, with the white stamped lettering to the spine and front board remaining crisp and entirely unoxidised. The binding is remarkably tight and square, showing scarcely any signs of being read, with only the most microscopic bumping to the extreme spine tips. The text block is predominantly clean and bright throughout, though a light dusting of foxing is present along the top edge. The original dust jacket, retaining its printed "8s 6d net" price on the front flap, presents very well with vibrant colors to the front and rear panels. Exhibits minor shelf-wear, largely confined to light rubbing at the extremities, minor creasing to the spine head, and some gentle handling marks to the back panel. Overall, an unusually sharp, well-preserved copy.

Catalogue Note: First UK Edition of Françoise Sagan’s second novel, translated from the original French (Un certain sourire) by Irene Ash. Following the international sensation of her debut, Bonjour Tristesse, this volume cemented Sagan's reputation as the reigning voice of sophisticated, mid-century youth.

Adding a charming layer of provenance, this copy includes a contemporary newspaper review clipped and laid in by a previous owner. The review muses on the difficulties of dealing "justly with infant prodigies," offering a fascinating glimpse into the contemporary critical reception of Sagan's early work. Finding a copy with such a bright red cloth binding and a well-preserved, unclipped dust jacket is increasingly uncommon on the open market.

Written by the legendary Françoise Sagan at the tender age of twenty, A Certain Smile cemented her reputation as the literary voice of a disillusioned post-war generation. The narrative follows Dominique, a young Parisian law student who, bored with her studies and her predictable boyfriend, embarks on a passionate but ultimately fleeting affair with his older, married uncle, Luc. Elegantly written and laced with both mature cynicism and a surprisingly tender understanding of the human heart, Sagan’s second novel is a masterful exploration of adolescent ennui, the fleeting nature of desire, and the melancholic reality of moving on.

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: Françoise Sagan

Book Publisher: John Murray

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Modern Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 132

Book Publication Year: 1956

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Cloth

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: London, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.