The Memoirs of a Survivor, Doris Lessing — 1st Edition

£37.50

The Memoirs of a Survivor, Doris Lessing — 1st Edition

Name: The Memoirs of a Survivor, Doris Lessing — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6302
Price: 37.50 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, The Octagon Press, 1974.

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 182.

Condition Report: Near Fine. This copy presents exceptionally well, bound in the publisher’s original green cloth which remains clean and vivid, entirely free from the fading or handling wear so often encountered with this edition. The gilt lettering to the spine is notably bright and unoxidised. The binding is completely tight and square, with sharp, unbumped corners. The text block edges show only the faintest suggestion of natural age-toning but are otherwise immaculately clean. Internally, the pages are crisp, bright, and completely devoid of foxing or spotting. The original pictorial dust jacket is unclipped and beautifully preserved; the colours of the front panel artwork remain striking and unfaded, with no discernible chips, tears, or creasing, now securely housed in a protective sleeve. A highly superior, collector-quality example.

Catalogue Note: This is a true First Edition, First Impression of Doris Lessing's acclaimed novel, complete with the publisher's interlocking knot device to the title page and the base of the spine.

While this title is relatively common on the secondary market, a significant proportion of surviving copies exhibit heavy foxing, cracked hinges, or sun-bleached dust jackets. It is highly unusual to encounter a copy that has been so carefully preserved, retaining both its structural integrity and vibrant aesthetic appeal.

A compelling and prescient work by Nobel Laureate Doris Lessing, The Memoirs of a Survivor chronicles the slow, inexplicable collapse of society as observed by an unnamed female narrator from the window of her ground-floor flat. As the outside world devolves into nomadic gangs and tribal factions roaming the streets of a nameless British city, the narrator discovers an ability to pass through the physical walls of her living room into a shifting, surreal interior dimension. Blending dystopian science fiction with profound psychological inquiry, Lessing's novel is a masterful exploration of civilisation, childhood trauma, and the enduring human spirit in the face of apocalypse.

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: Doris Lessing

Book Publisher: The Octagon Press

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Modern Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 182

Book Publication Year: 1974

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Tonbridge, 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.