The Knot of Vipers, François Mauriac — First Edition Thus

The Knot of Vipers, François Mauriac — First Edition Thus

£30.00
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The Knot of Vipers, François Mauriac — First Edition Thus
  • The Knot of Vipers, François Mauriac — First Edition Thus
  • The Knot of Vipers, François Mauriac — First Edition Thus
  • The Knot of Vipers, François Mauriac — First Edition Thus
  • The Knot of Vipers, François Mauriac — First Edition Thus
  • The Knot of Vipers, François Mauriac — First Edition Thus
  • The Knot of Vipers, François Mauriac — First Edition Thus
  • The Knot of Vipers, François Mauriac — First Edition Thus
  • The Knot of Vipers, François Mauriac — First Edition Thus
  • The Knot of Vipers, François Mauriac — First Edition Thus
  • The Knot of Vipers, François Mauriac — First Edition Thus
  • The Knot of Vipers, François Mauriac — First Edition Thus
  • The Knot of Vipers, François Mauriac — First Edition Thus
  • The Knot of Vipers, François Mauriac — First Edition Thus
  • The Knot of Vipers, François Mauriac — First Edition Thus
The Knot of Vipers, François Mauriac — First Edition Thus

The Knot of Vipers, François Mauriac — First Edition Thus

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£30.00

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Publication: London, Eyre & Spottiswoode, 1951

Formatting: 8vo.

Condition Report: Very Good. The book is securely bound with tight hinges and clean pages internally, showing only faint spotting and dust-toning along the top edge of the text block. The boards remain sharp and unbumped beneath the jacket. It is housed in a vibrant example of the original dust jacket, which exhibits only minor shelf-wear, primarily consisting of slight rubbing to the extremities and a minuscule nick to the head of the spine. The striking orange hue remains wonderfully bright and unfaded across the panels.

Catalogue Note: This 1951 edition represents the "First Thus" of Gerard Hopkins' acclaimed English translation, issued as part of 'The Collected English Edition of the Novels of François Mauriac'. Mauriac originally published the novel as Le Nœud de Vipères in 1932.

Copies of this specific printing in such a well-preserved, bright dust jacket are increasingly uncommon on the open market, as the delicate paper is highly susceptible to sun-fading and edge-wear.

Considered by many to be François Mauriac’s masterpiece, The Knot of Vipers is a profound, psychologically penetrating portrait of a bitter, alienated man. Written in the form of a letter to his estranged wife, the wealthy, dying patriarch Louis reflects on a life consumed by avarice, resentment, and a profound inability to love. As he lays bare his darkest impulses and the toxic dynamic of his family, the novel masterfully explores themes of grace, redemption, and the spiritual voids that wealth cannot fill.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: François Mauriac

Book Publisher: Eyre & Spottiswoode

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Modern Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages:

Book Publication Year: 1951

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: The Collected English Edition of the Novels of François Mauriac

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.

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