Henderson the Rain King, Saul Bellow — 1st Edition

£149.50

Henderson the Rain King, Saul Bellow — 1st Edition

Name: Henderson the Rain King, Saul Bellow — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4088-RM-FR-VG-3
Price: 149.50 GBP
Availability: InStock

Write Review

In stock

£149.50

Shipping is calculated at checkout.

Publication: London, Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1959.

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 341.

Condition Report: Near Fine. This exceptionally preserved copy presents tightly bound in the publisher's vibrant red cloth, with the gilt lettering along the spine remaining remarkably bright. The board corners are sharp and free from bumping, while the text block shows only the faintest touch of age-toning along the top edge, remaining clean and entirely devoid of foxing or internal blemishes. The original, price-unclipped ("16s. net") dust jacket is striking in its preservation; it retains its rich, unfaded colour palette on the front and spine, suffering only from trivial edge-rubbing and very light shelf-wear to the extreme spine tips. Overall, a highly collectable copy.

Catalogue Note: First UK Edition of Saul Bellow's acclaimed comic novel. Bound in the publisher's striking red cloth and adorned with the vibrant, modernist dust jacket designed by Bill Preston, this edition stands out visually among mid-century literature.

The inner flap bears the correct "16s. net" pricing, confirming its original, unclipped state. The rear panel proudly displays early critical praise for Bellow with enthusiastic quotes from Peter Green, Rose Macaulay, and Lionel Trilling. Unmarred by previous ownership marks, bookplates, or inscriptions, it remains a surprisingly crisp example of a post-war classic that is frequently found with heavy sunning to the jacket or significant wear to the cloth boards.

Following the monumental success of The Adventures of Augie March, Saul Bellow presents Eugene Henderson: a restless, wealthy, and larger-than-life American driven by an insatiable inner longing. At fifty-six, drinking heavily and alienating his family and friends, Henderson abruptly flees his comfortable life for the heart of Africa in pursuit of spiritual renewal. Stumbling into a remote tribal village, his colossal physical strength and brash American eccentricity lead to a spectacular feat, lifting the massive wooden goddess Mummah, which inadvertently earns him the revered title of official Rain King. What follows is a profoundly moving, wildly farcical, and thought-provoking odyssey as Henderson navigates his newfound godhood, forms a deep bond with the local chief, and confronts a terrifying lion hunt in his quest to cure his ailing soul before returning to America with a lion cub.

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: Saul Bellow

Book Publisher: Weidenfeld and Nicolson

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Classic Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 341

Book Publication Year: 1959

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Cloth

Illustrator: Bill Preston (Dust Jacket)

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.