A Handful of Blackberries, Ignazio Silone — 1st UK Edition

£27.00

A Handful of Blackberries, Ignazio Silone — 1st UK Edition

Name: A Handful of Blackberries, Ignazio Silone — 1st UK Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4021
Price: 27.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Jonathan Cape, 1954

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 288.

Condition Report: Very Good. The publisher's original green cloth binding remains firm, square, and tight, with sharp corners and bright gilt titling to the spine and upper board showing minimal shelf-wear. Internally, the text block is structurally sound, though there is light, uniform tanning and faint dust-spotting to the page edges, typical of the paper stock from this post-war era. The original, unclipped dust jacket (priced at 12s. 6d. net) presents well in a protective archival sleeve, exhibiting only minor rubbing to the extremities and slight sunning to the spine. Notably, the verso of the dust jacket and the inner flaps reveal historical tape staining (offsetting) from a previous, non-archival protector, though this is entirely hidden from external view and does not compromise the jacket's structural integrity or its striking mid-century design.

Catalogue Note: This is the true First UK Edition and the first English-language appearance of Silone's novel, translated from the Italian by the author's wife, Darina Silone. Originally published in Italian in 1952, this 1954 edition by Jonathan Cape is unillustrated and features the iconic 'RECOMMENDED BY THE BOOK SOCIETY' wraparound band printed directly onto the lower half of the dust jacket's front flap.

While later printings and the American edition (published by Harper & Brothers) are relatively common, finding the true First UK Edition in its original dust jacket with the unclipped price intact has become increasingly uncommon on the open market. This copy serves as a highly collectible and presentable example of post-war European political literature.

Set against the rugged, barren mountains of southern Italy in the immediate aftermath of World War II, A Handful of Blackberries captures a community caught in the turbulent crossfire between the entrenched Catholic Church and the rising Communist Party. The narrative follows Rocco de Donatis, a disillusioned local Communist leader, as he grapples with ideological burnout and the terrifying realisation that his party's doctrines ring hollow. When Rocco breaks away to find a more authentic truth, his lover, Stella, is left behind to navigate a dangerous web of party loyalty and betrayal. Masterfully woven by Ignazio Silone, a prominent anti-fascist who lived through the very political disillusionments he describes, this poignant novel is a timeless exploration of moral courage, individual freedom, and the enduring spirit of the Italian peasantry.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Ignazio Silone

Book Publisher: Jonathan Cape

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Historical Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 288

Book Publication Year: 1954

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

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.