The Song of the Red Ruby, Agnar Mykle — 1st Edition

£28.40

The Song of the Red Ruby, Agnar Mykle — 1st Edition

Name: The Song of the Red Ruby, Agnar Mykle — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6768
Price: 28.40 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, Barrie and Rockliff, 1961

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 335.

Condition Report: Near Fine. The brown cloth boards are remarkably clean and sharp, with bright silver spine lettering and practically no discernible bumping or shelf-wear to the extremities, indicating careful handling. The binding remains securely tight and square throughout. Internally, the pages are highly presentable and entirely free from tears, exhibiting only the mildest hint of age-toning to the text block edges. The original, unclipped dust jacket (retaining the 18s. flap price) displays slight rubbing and gentle edge-wear, including minor creasing to the corners and a touch of fading to the spine, but remains highly attractive and structurally sound overall.

Catalogue Note: This is the first UK edition, first impression, of the first English translation by Maurice Michael. The novel was originally published in Norway in 1956 as Sangen om den Røde Rubin by Gyldendal Norsk Forlag.

Upon its initial release, the book sparked widespread controversy and was famously banned for its explicit sexual content, leading to a landmark obscenity trial in 1957.

Finding this true first English edition on the open market in such a sharp, well-preserved state, complete with its original unclipped dust jacket, is uncommon.

Agnar Mykle’s The Song of the Red Ruby is a masterful and provocative coming-of-age novel that explores the complex sexual and political awakenings of its young protagonist, Ash Burle. A sequel to Mykle’s acclaimed Lasso Round the Moon, this deeply psychological and impassioned narrative broke literary boundaries upon its publication. Despite facing intense censorship and legal battles in its native Norway, the novel endures as a vital, daring exploration of youth, morality, and the search for authentic identity.

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: Agnar Mykle

Book Publisher: Barrie and Rockliff

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Modern Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 335

Book Publication Year: 1961

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Liverpool and 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.