The Complete Works of Nathanael West, Nathanael West — 1st Ed

£67.60

The Complete Works of Nathanael West, Nathanael West — 1st Ed

Name: The Complete Works of Nathanael West, Nathanael West — 1st Ed
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6794
Price: 67.60 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Martin Secker & Warburg Ltd, 1957

Formatting: 8vo, pp. xxii, 421.

Condition Report: Near Fine. The original green cloth binding remains remarkably tight and structurally sound, with sharp corners and bright, unoxidised silver lettering to the spine. The text block is clean and squarely bound, exhibiting only the lightest of uniform age-toning to the top and fore-edges, entirely free from heavy foxing, spotting, or moisture damage. Internally, the pages are crisp, bright, and unmarked, showing no signs of heavy handling or reading wear. The original dust jacket is excellently preserved, retaining its vibrant green and white panels without significant sun-fading to the spine. It remains unclipped (displaying the original 25s. net. price on the rear flap) and is protected within a clear, removable sleeve. There is only very slight, negligible rubbing to the extreme upper and lower edges, making this a highly presentable and desirable copy.

Catalogue Note: This is the first UK edition, collecting Nathanael West’s complete body of long-form fiction into a single comprehensive volume for the British market. Introduced by Alan Ross, the publication cemented West’s posthumous reputation in the United Kingdom as one of the pre-eminent American satirists of the 20th century.

While the simultaneous 1957 American edition by Farrar, Straus & Cudahy is relatively common, this Secker & Warburg British printing is comparatively scarce on the open market, particularly when retaining an unclipped and vibrant original dust jacket.

Gathering the entirety of his pioneering novelistic output, this omnibus volume showcases Nathanael West’s unparalleled talent for dark comedy and biting social satire. From the cynical, surreal despair of a Depression-era advice columnist in Miss Lonelyhearts to the apocalyptic, grotesque absurdity of Hollywood fringe-dwellers in The Day of the Locust, West’s writing systematically dismantles the mythology of the American Dream. Also including the avant-garde The Dream Life of Balso Snell and the Horatio Alger parody A Cool Million, this collection stands as a cornerstone of 20th-century American literature, capturing the existential dread and tragicomedy of the modern age with devastating precision.

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: Nathanael West

Book Publisher: Martin Secker & Warburg Ltd

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Modern Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 421

Book Publication Year: 1957

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.