The Violent Bear It Away

London: Longmans, 1960. First Impression. Hardcover. Fine-/Fine-. First British Edition (no further printings noted) of the author's third book and second novel, and her "best attempt at longer fiction." Small 8vo: [10],243,[1]pp. Publisher's tangerine cloth, spine lettered in gold; illustrated dust jacket, priced 16/-. About Fine (dust-soiled top edge) and apparently unread; about Fine jacket (spine panel ends lightly rubbed, pinhead nick to front panel), vivid and bright. A scarce collectible example, one of 3500 copies printed. Yet another example of the value to be found in the graphically superior designs of British editions of American authors's works. . Published eight years after Wise Blood and sharing that book's "interest in reluctant Southern prophets, violence and the grotesque. The title is taken from the Douay translation of Matthew 11:12, which provides the book's epigraph: 'From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent bear it away.' These are Jesus's words to the multitude, and the themes of baptism, violence and the Bread of Life pervade the novel. . . . While O'Connor's reputation has continued to rest most heavily on her stories, The Violent Bear It Away remains a considerable addition to the American Romance tradition . . . " (Literary Encyclopedia) N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition, with dust jackets carefully preserved in archival, removable polypropylene sleeves. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).