{"product_id":"the-long-play-christopher-leach-first-edition","title":"The Long Play, Christopher Leach — First Edition","description":"\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"5\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"5\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003ePublication:\u003c\/b\u003e London, W. H. Allen, 1964\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"6\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"6\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eFormatting:\u003c\/b\u003e 8vo, pp. 172.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"7\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"7\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eCondition Report:\u003c\/b\u003e Very Good. The book presents remarkably well in its original black cloth bindings, remaining square and exceedingly tight. The boards are clean with sharp corners, and the gilt titling to the spine remains notably bright and entirely unoxidised. Internally, the pages are crisp and clean. The text block exhibits faint foxing and gentle toning, predominantly isolated to the top edge, which is entirely consistent with the paper stock of the era. The original, unclipped dust jacket (retaining the 16s net price) is also in Very Good condition, displaying only minor rubbing to the extremities and slight age-toning to the rear panel and edges, but remains highly attractive and completely intact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"8\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"8\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eCatalogue Note:\u003c\/b\u003e This is the first edition of Christopher Leach’s insightful mid-century novel, printed in Great Britain by Clarke, Doble \u0026amp; Brendon, Ltd., and bound by The Leighton-Straker Bookbinding Co. The volume stands as an excellent example of 1960s British book production.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"9\"\u003eThe unclipped dust jacket features a striking, evocative design by the renowned illustrator B. S. Biro, perfectly capturing the stark, post-war sensibilities of the novel's setting. The narrative draws inspiration from fact, presenting a compelling slice of social realism centred on a fictional London secondary modern school.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"10\"\u003eSet against the gritty backdrop of London's docklands, \u003ci data-path-to-node=\"10\" data-index-in-node=\"62\"\u003eThe Long Play\u003c\/i\u003e follows the experiences of Harvey, a twelve-year-old schoolboy navigating the trials of Maya Road Secondary Modern School. Through Harvey’s eyes, Leach meticulously dissects a world fraught with the brutality of prefects, the indifference of teachers, and the pervasive ignorance of the school's headmaster. An uncompromising exploration of the mid-century education system, this novel is both a deeply personal coming-of-age story and a sharp critique of an insular society.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Broadhursts Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54304489898323,"sku":"4492","price":40.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/1469\/6787\/files\/20260623_160826.jpg?v=1784036275","url":"https:\/\/broadhurstsbooks.com\/products\/the-long-play-christopher-leach-first-edition","provider":"Broadhursts Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}