The Sleep of Reason, C. P. Snow — 1st Edition

£35.00

The Sleep of Reason, C. P. Snow — 1st Edition

Name: The Sleep of Reason, C. P. Snow — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6860
Price: 35.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Macmillan and Co Ltd, 1968

Formatting: 8vo, pp. [viii], 406.

Condition Report: Near Fine. The grey cloth boards remain exceptionally sharp and clean, with the silver gilt lettering to the spine brilliantly bright and unoxidised. The binding is remarkably tight and square, displaying true structural integrity and no lean, suggesting the volume has seen very little reading wear. Internally, the pages are crisp, bright, and completely free from foxing, exhibiting only the faintest whisper of age-toning to the text block edges as is typical for the paper stock of the period. The original dust jacket is wonderfully preserved; it remains unclipped (retaining the '35s net' price on the front flap) and is notably free from the rubbing, chipping, or fading that commonly afflicts this 1960s title, now fully protected in a clear archival sleeve.

Catalogue Note: This is a pleasing true first edition, first impression of the tenth novel in C. P. Snow’s highly acclaimed 'Strangers and Brothers' sequence. The book is presented in its original grey cloth binding, characteristic of Macmillan's first printings of this title, and retains its striking, unclipped dust jacket featuring the distinctive psychedelic ribbon design.

Locating a copy in such sharp, near-pristine condition, with an exceptionally bright dust jacket devoid of edge-wear, remains increasingly uncommon for collectors of mid-century British literature.

In The Sleep of Reason, the penultimate instalment of the monumental 'Strangers and Brothers' sequence, C. P. Snow brings his protagonist Lewis Eliot back to his provincial home town to serve on the university court. The quiet academic backdrop, however, is quickly shattered by a harrowing murder trial involving two young women accused of a horrifying, inexplicable crime, a narrative loosely inspired by the infamous Moors Murders. As Eliot observes the trial, Snow masterfully delves into the dark depths of human psychology, morality, and the fragility of civilized society, ultimately questioning what monsters are born when reason fails.

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: C. P. Snow

Book Publisher: Macmillan and Co Ltd

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Modern Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 406

Book Publication Year: 1968

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: Strangers and Brothers

Country/region of manufacture: Glasgow, 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.