The Coup, John Updike — 1st Edition

Name: The Coup, John Updike — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 5828
Price: 14.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, André Deutsch, 1979

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 301.

Condition Report: Fine. This book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, justifying its grade through its immaculate structural integrity. The original brown cloth boards are entirely unblemished, boasting rigid, sharp corners absent of any bumping or shelf-wear. The gilt lettering to the spine remains exceptionally bright and unoxidised. The text block is completely square, with crisp, white edges. Internally, its pages are typically clean and unmarked, maintaining a fresh crispness throughout. The unclipped dust jacket is equally impressive, radiantly bright without a trace of the fading commonly found on this title's vibrant yellow spine. It is practically flawless, exhibiting only the most imperceptible handling wear at the absolute extremes of the spine head, protecting a copy that feels virtually unread.

Catalogue Note: This is a sharp first UK edition, first impression. The text block was reproduced, printed, and bound in Great Britain by Cox & Wyman Ltd, with the original dust jacket artwork framing the bold typography and the iconic scorpion motif. The jacket's rear panel features a striking contemporary portrait of Updike by Jerry Bauer.

While Updike's modern firsts are relatively common on the open market, locating a copy of this specific title in such exceptionally bright and unfaded condition is a notable find for collectors. The stark yellow dust jacket is notoriously prone to sunning and edge-wear, making this vibrant, pristine survivor particularly desirable.

Set in the fictional, drought-stricken African nation of Kush, The Coup chronicles the turbulent reign of Colonel Hakim Félix Ellelloû, a complex Marxist dictator who is fiercely anti-American despite his own clandestine education in the United States. Narrating his own downfall with a mix of first- and third-person detachment, Ellelloû grapples with political upheaval, his four wives, and the encroaching forces of Western capitalism he so vehemently despises. Updike's prose is as luxuriant and biting as ever, weaving a satirical, darkly comedic, and deeply textured portrait of post-colonial power, cultural displacement, and the absurdities of the Cold War era.

Book Condition: Fine

Book Authors: John Updike

Book Publisher: André Deutsch

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Modern Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 301

Book Publication Year: 1979

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.