The Bystander, Albert J. Guerard — 1st UK Edition

£32.50

The Bystander, Albert J. Guerard — 1st UK Edition

Name: The Bystander, Albert J. Guerard — 1st UK Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4627
Price: 32.50 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Faber and Faber, 1959

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 197.

Condition Report: Near Fine in a Very Good dust jacket. The original red cloth binding is remarkably tight and square, featuring crisp, un-bumped corners and gleaming, unoxidised gilt lettering to the spine. The text block is firm and clean, with only the faintest hint of uniform age-toning to the page edges, remaining completely free from any serious foxing or structural weaknesses. The original, unclipped dust jacket (retaining the 15s net price) is vibrant and highly attractive, exhibiting only minor nicks and shallow rubbing to the extremities, alongside some expected light surface soil to the white rear panel. A thoroughly handsome and remarkably well-preserved copy.

Catalogue Note: This is the First UK Edition of Guerard’s novel, published by Faber and Faber following the initial US release by Little, Brown the previous year. The text is presented in its original, unclipped pictorial dust jacket, which remains wonderfully bright on the front panel and spine despite the book's age.

As is typical of Faber publications from this period, the production quality is sturdy, and this copy benefits from having escaped the heavy handling or library circulation that afflicted many post-war literary novels. Finding this edition on the open market in such a bright, complete jacket is becoming increasingly uncommon, making it a highly desirable acquisition for collectors of mid-century literary fiction.

The Bystander is a compelling study of a young writer's infatuation and romantic obsession, unfolding against the atmospheric backdrop of the French Riviera. Guerard crafts a psychologically nuanced narrative that explores the tension between idealised love and flawed reality, delivered with a distinctly Gallic sensibility and an acute awareness of the intricacies of human desire. It is a masterful, understated portrait of youthful naivety colliding with European worldliness.

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: Albert J. Guerard

Book Publisher: Faber and Faber

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Modern Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 197

Book Publication Year: 1959

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Plymouth, 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.