The Obedient Wife, Julia Ofaolain — 1st Edition

£25.00

The Obedient Wife, Julia Ofaolain — 1st Edition

Name: The Obedient Wife, Julia Ofaolain — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4126-RM-F-VG-9
Price: 25.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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£25.00

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Publication: London, Allen Lane, 1982.

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 229.

Condition Report: Near Fine. The hardcover binding remains firm, tight, and exceptionally square, exhibiting minimal signs of handling. The text block is impressively clean, with pages that remain bright and entirely free of visible foxing or significant age-toning. The original dust jacket is remarkably well-preserved, maintaining its vibrant front panel illustration and the striking black-and-white author portrait on the rear wrapper. There is only the most trivial degree of surface rubbing and minor edge-wear visible to the spine extremities and corners. Overall, an excellent, highly presentable copy.

Catalogue Note: True first edition. The copyright page distinctly notes "First published 1982" with no further printings indicated, securing its first edition status. The volume is beautifully presented in its original dust jacket, which features a painted front panel illustration of a woman standing on a beach, complemented by a full-panel photographic portrait of the author on the lower wrapper.

Printed and bound in Great Britain by Richard Clay (The Chaucer Press) Ltd in Bungay, Suffolk, the text is cleanly set in Monophoto Times. While modern first editions by O'Faolain are reasonably available on the secondary market, uncovering a copy in such crisp, unblemished condition is a true delight for collectors of late twentieth-century literature.

Set against the sprawling, chaotic backdrop of Los Angeles, The Obedient Wife follows Carla Verdi, an Italian woman temporarily abandoned by her overbearing husband. Left to manage her household and raise her son according to traditional Italian values, Carla seeks refuge in the companionship of Leo, a Catholic priest. As Leo preaches the seminary virtue of obedience, their private devotions, he to the Church, she to her vows, are deeply tested, sweeping them both toward temptation. It is a witty, ruthless, and penetrating exploration of cultural dislocation, marital fidelity, and Catholic constraints by one of Ireland's most compassionate and ironically observant literary voices.

ISBN: 071391467X

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: Julia O'Faolain

Book Publisher: Allen Lane

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Modern Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 230

Book Publication Year: 1982

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Cloth

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.