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Published by Mercury House, 1990, 1990
Seller: Longhouse, Publishers & Booksellers, Brattleboro, VT, U.S.A.
From a scholar's library we notice underlining to text. Fine and bright glossy wraps with strong spine.
Published by Mercury House, Inc., San Francisco, 1990
Seller: Willis Monie-Books, ABAA, Cooperstown, NY, U.S.A.
Softcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: No Dust Jacket. Advance Reading Copy/Proof. Slight sticker residue on front cover. Slight fading to spine and adjacent edges. ; Uncorrected page proof. "First Time in English" label.
Published by San Francisco, CA: Mercury House, 1990, 1990
ISBN 10: 0916515710ISBN 13: 9780916515713
Seller: ModernRare, CHICAGO, IL, U.S.A.
Book First Edition
Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. 1st Edition. 1st Printing. 159 pages. Published in 1990. The author's novel on historical subject, posthumously published. One of Alejo Carpentier's finest achievements. The first appearance of the title in English and in the United States. Precedes and should not be confused with all other subsequent editions. Published in a small and limited first print run as a hardcover original only by a small independent press. The First Edition is now scarce. Presents Alejo Carpentier's "El Arpa y la Sombra" in a definitive English translation. Written towards the end of the seminal author's life, a literary re-examination of The Conquest and a melancholy reflection on the lust for fame and glory that Columbus incarnated in his time and represents to this day. Carpentier, the founder of Magical Realism, re-interprets Christopher Columbus and his voyage as driven by pure greed rather than - as widely taught and thought - honor. Carpentier's elusive literary genius happily prevents him from writing yet another rigid "historico-ideological novel" as we know it. "Examining the mythology surrounding Christopher Columbus, the novel begins in the 19th century with Pope Pius IX considering the explorer's sainthood. In the second section, the dying Columbus relives his sea voyages to the New World. The last section returns to the Vatican and the question of beatification with an imaginary debate waged by Victor Hugo, Jules Verne, and the long-dead Columbus. The chicanery Columbus used to finance his trips and his feelings toward the Indians he enslaved and exploited are portrayed in unflinching detail" (Publishers Weekly). An absolute "must-have" title for Alejo Carpentier collectors. This title is a great book. This is one of few copies of the First Hardcover Edition/First Printing (American) still available online and despite its imperfection (creasing and closed tear on the DJ) is still in especially fine condition: Every single internal page is clean, crisp, and bright. It is NOT price-clipped. It has NO bumps. It does NOT look like it was ever used or read. Please note: Copies available online have very serious flaws, are subsequent printings, or are remainder-marked. This is surely an accessible and lovely alternative. A scarce copy thus. One of the greatest writers of the 20th century. A fine copy. (SEE ALSO OTHER ALEJO CARPENTIER TITLES IN OUR CATALOG) ISBN 0916515710. no.