{"product_id":"the-rector-anthony-storey-1st-edition","title":"The Rector, Anthony Storey — 1st Edition","description":"\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"1\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"1\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003ePublication\u003c\/b\u003e: London, Calder \u0026amp; Boyars, 1970\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"2\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"2\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eFormatting\u003c\/b\u003e: 8vo, pp. 176.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"3\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"3\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eCondition Report\u003c\/b\u003e: Near Fine. This copy presents exceptionally well, boasting a tight, square binding that feels unread. The black cloth boards are pristine, retaining sharp corners and bright, unoxidised gilt lettering to the spine. The text block edges show only the faintest hint of age-toning and dustiness to the top edge, while the internal pages remain crisp, bright, and completely free of foxing, thumbing, or blemishes. The book is housed in a Near Fine, unclipped dust jacket, retaining the original '30s \/ £1.50' price, which exhibits wonderful colour preservation with no sunning, tearing, or noticeable shelf-wear, save for the most microscopic rubbing to the extreme extremities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"4\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"4\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eCatalogue Note\u003c\/b\u003e: This is a first edition, first impression of Anthony Storey's \u003ci data-path-to-node=\"4\" data-index-in-node=\"78\"\u003eThe Rector\u003c\/i\u003e, issued in the primary black cloth binding. Published by Calder \u0026amp; Boyars in 1970, this copy remains in a remarkably preserved, unclipped dust jacket featuring the striking design by Wendy Coates-Smith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"5\"\u003eAs the first instalment of Storey's 'Messiah' trilogy, the novel tackles complex theological themes through a starkly modern lens and was notably shortlisted for the Booker Prize.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"5\"\u003eWhile standard reading copies of this title do appear on the secondary market, securing a true first printing in such sharp, collector-grade condition, completely free of typical library stamps, price-clipping, or heavy shelf-wear, is becoming increasingly uncommon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"6\"\u003eMary, the daughter of a well-known Yorkshire novelist, is engaged to Christopher, the local Rector. Their lives are abruptly upended when Mary makes the unprecedented announcement that she has miraculously conceived of God. To her father, a self-liberated Bohemian, her immaculate conception is entirely credible, but for Christopher, the literal realisation of the 'miracles' he preaches proves impossible to digest. As his deeply crystallised belief system shatters, he descends into a state of unresolved schizophrenia in this powerful, controversial exploration of Christian mythology and twentieth-century value systems.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Broadhursts Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55573519925587,"sku":"6398","price":15.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0960\/1469\/6787\/files\/20261019_104358.jpg?v=1792770768","url":"https:\/\/broadhurstsbooks.com\/products\/the-rector-anthony-storey-1st-edition","provider":"Broadhursts Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}