The Enchanted April

London, Macmillan and Co. Limited, 1922. First edition. Cloth. This original, full cloth bound first edition, first impression of Elizabeth von Arnim's most popular work. The first edition, first impression of the work, with no subsequent impressions listed. This edition and impression is scarcely found in the publisher's original cloth binding. Includes a beautiful frontispiece after a watercolour illustration by the Hon. Lady Mallet titled The View from Mrs Wilkins's Bedroom. With two pages of publisher's advertisements, for other works by Elizabeth von Arnim and Macmillan's new fiction, respectively, at the rear of the work. With the embossed mark of 'Charlecote Marple Chesire' to the recto of the front first and second free endpapers.An entrancing work, Elizabeth von Arnim's most famous novel proved to be an immediate best seller upon its first publication in 1922. This author and countess herself led a remarkably exciting life: for a time, she was the lover of H. G. Wells, married the brother of Bertrand Russell, and cultivated an intimate and often literary correspondence with her cousin, Katherine Mansfield. The Enchanted April is the mirthful story of an unusual mix of companions and their collective revitalisation on a holiday to the Italian Riviera. In the original publisher's full cloth binding. Externally, generally smart with a touch of rubbing, marginally heavier to the front board, and some bumping to the head and tail of the spine, which has resulted in fractional splitting of the cloth in the latter's case. Front hinge is slightly strained, and there is some light discolouration to the pastedowns. Pages are generally bright and clean barring the odd minor mark and light spotting, heaviest to the endpapers. One minor closed tear to the bottom edge of pp.50, not impacting text. Very Good . Ill.: Frontispiece after a watercolour drawing by the Hon. Lady Mallet. Very Good .

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 931E18

Catalogue: Modern Fiction

Keywords: British Fiction Modern Fiction 20th Century Modern Fiction Frontispiece after a watercolour drawing by the Hon. Lady Mallet.

John le Carré

The Looking-Glass War

London, Heinemann, 1965. First edition. Cloth. The first edition, first impression of this thrilling spy novel by the British author John le Carré, with the original unclipped dust wrapper. The first edition, first impression of the work. With the original unclipped dust wrapper.Also with the bookplate of Leslie and Beryl Nathanson, Villa la Pietra, to the recto of the front free endpaper. The Looking-Glass War is one of the earliest spy novels by the author John le Carré, having been published just one year after his third, most famous novel, The Spy Who Came in From the Cold (1963). In his explores the unglamorous nature of espionage, taking care to warn its reader about the dangers of indulging nostalgia. In the original publisher's binding with the original unclipped dust wrapper. Externally, generally very attractive barring a few minor handling marks and a touch of bumping to the head and tail of the spine and the extremities. Wrapper's spine is sunned. Some light handling marks and a pair of age spots to the wrapper, in addition to slight edgewear, including some minor closed tears, not impacting the wrapper's text. Bookplate to recto of the front free endpaper. Internally, firmly bound with bright, clean pages. Near Fine . Ill.: None. Near Fine/Good.

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 933e24

Catalogue: Modern Fiction

Keywords: John le Carré Modern Fiction Espionage Spy Novels Modern Fiction None

John Le Carré

A Perfect Spy

London, Hodder and Stoughton, 1986. First edition. Cloth. A superb copy of this thrilling novel by the popular author, John Le Carré. The first edition, third impression of this thrilling novel by the acclaimed author John le Carré. This novel deals with the mental and moral dissolution of a high level secret agent, and the intricacies in the world of international espionage. John le Carré was a British author, who worked for Security Service and the Secret Intelligence Service before becoming a full-time writer. In its dust wrapper, price clipped. In the original publisher's cloth binding. Externally lovely with minor shelf wear only. The dust wrapper is excellent with only minor shelf wear, price clipped. Internally, firmly bound. The pages are bright and clean. Fine . Ill.: None. Fine/Near Fine.

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 788A32

Catalogue: Modern Fiction

Keywords: first editions john le carre spy john le carre None

John Le Carré

The Russia House and the Constant Gardener

London, Hodder & Stoughton Limited, 1989-2001. First edition. Cloth. First edition, first impressions of two novels by John le Carré, both of which were adapted into films, in fine condition. The first edition, first impression of these two novels in the publisher's original cloth binding, with the original unclipped dust wrapper. Two novels by the renowned author of espionage novels John le Carre. The Russia House is a witty and moving spy novel, which inspired the 1990 film starring Sean Connery and Michelle Pfeiffer. The Constant Gardener is a somewhat better-known novel concerned with an international conspiracy of corrupt bureaucracy and pharmaceutical money, which inspired the 2005 film starring Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz. In the publisher's original cloth binding, with the original unclipped dust wrapper. Externally, cloth is in lovely condition. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are very bright and clean. Fine . Ill.: Not Stated. Fine/Fine.

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 856M19

Catalogue: Modern Fiction

Keywords: Modern fiction Novels John le Carre Novels Not Stated

Jeff Abbott

Black Jack Point

London, Orion, 2004. First edition. Cloth. The scarce first edition of this Jeff Abbott mystery novel in its original dustwrapper. 'In this spellbinding new thriller, Texas judge Whit Mosley is about to cross the point of no return..' In a black cloth binding. Externally, very smart. Dustwrapper is very smart also. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean. Fine . Ill.: None. Fine/Fine.

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: MOD9-H-16

Catalogue: Modern Fiction

Keywords: mystery jeff abbott whit mosley jeff abbott None

Joe Abercrombie

Half a War

London, Harper Voyager , 2015. First edition. Cloth. Lovely first impression of this coming-of-age tale by Joe Abercrombie, signed by the author. The first edition, first impression of this work. Signed by the author to title page. Third and final volume in Joe Abercrombie's popular young adult fantasy trilogy Shattered Sea, following Half a King and Half the World. Telling of the exploring of Yarvi, young prince of Gettland with a disabled hand. In the original publisher's full cloth binding. Externally lovely. Signed by author to title page. Dust wrapper unclipped and excellent with 'Signed by the Author' sticker to front wrap. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright and clean. Fine . Ill.: None. Fine/Fine.

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 843A9

Catalogue: Modern Fiction

Keywords: joe abercrombie first editions signed books first editions None

Chinua Achebe

Anthills of the Savannah

London, Heinemann, 1987. First edition. Cloth. The first edition, first impression of this Booker Prize finalist novel by Chinua Achebe, a bright copy complete with its unclipped dust wrapper. The first edition, first impression of this work. Finalist for the Booker Prize for Fiction in 1987. Written by Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe. Praised by critics upon its publication, it is considered to be one of the most important novels to come out of Africa in the later part of the twentieth century. Concerning the political situation in fictional African country of Kangan, where a Sandhurst-trained officer takes power after a military coup, told from the point of view and through the experiences of three friends. Complete with the unclipped dust wrapper. In the original publisher's full cloth binding. Externally excellent with minor shelf wear only and a minor bumping to the head and tail of the spine and extremities. The dust wrapper is unclipped and very smart with minor shelf wear only. Internally, firmly bound. The pages are bright and clean. Near Fine . Ill.: None. Near Fine/Near Fine.

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 801A32

Catalogue: Modern Fiction

Keywords: first editions booker prize chinua achebe booker prize None

J. R. Ackerley

We Think the World of You

London , The Bodley Head , 1960. First edition. Cloth. A wonderful first edition copy of Ackerley's moving novel We Think the World of You, in the original unclipped dust wrapper. A first edition copy of this work. We Think the World of You is a moving yet funny novel that tells the story of middle-aged Frank, who becomes involved in the lives of a working class family. On one hand a study in jealous and frustration, on the other an examination of the realities of working class life. J. R. Ackerley was a British writer and editor who worked for the BBC and was literary editor of The Listener. In the original unclipped dust wrapper. In the publisher's original binding. Externally, lovely. A previous owner inscription to the front pastedown dated 1960. Internally, firmly bound with bright and clean pages. In the original unclipped dust wrapper which is also very smart with some marks to the rear wrap. Near Fine . Ill.: none. Near Fine/Near Fine.

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 829B31

Catalogue: Modern Fiction

Keywords: We Think the World of You Ackerley novel Ackerley none

J. R. Ackerley

We Think the World of You

London, The Bodley Head, 1960. First edition. Cloth. A smart first edition copy of Ackerley's moving novel We Think the World of You, in the original unclipped dust wrapper. First edition. A moving yet funny novel that tells the story of middle-aged Frank, who becomes involved in the lives of a working class family. On one hand a study in jealous and frustration, on the other an examination of the realities of working class life. Written by Joe Randolph "J. R." Ackerley, a British writer and editor of the BBC's magazine The Listener. He was openly homosexual in a time when homosexual activity was forbidden by law and thus socially ostracised. Previously held in the library of David Higham Associates, a leading British literary agency representing writers and illustrators. In the original full cloth binding. Externally, very smart with minor wear to the extremities. Original unclipped dust wrapper is also very smart with minor wear and light sunning to the spine. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are very bright and clean with the odd spot. Previous owner's ink stamp and pencil inscription to the front endpaper. Near Fine . Ill.: None. Near Fine/Near Fine.

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 899T64

Catalogue: Modern Fiction

Keywords: Ackerley Think World You Think None

Peter Ackroyd

Chatterton

London, Hamish Hamilton, 1987. First edition. Cloth. A smart first edition, first impression of Peter Ackroyd's Booker Prize shortlist novel concerning plagiarism and poetry. First edition, first impression. Exploring the mystery of Thomas Chatterton, a young eighteenth century poet, who influenced Romantic artists of his time. The novel deals with themes of plagiarism and forgery through the investigations of a young poet and elderly novelist, this novel is both a tragic and comic work with meditations on human destiny and a satire on human folly. Written by Peter Ackroyd, an English biographer, novelist and critic with a specialist interest in the history and culture of London. In the original red cloth binding. Externally, excellent. Original unclipped dust wrapper is also excellent. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are very bright and clean throughout. Fine . Ill.: None. Fine/Fine.

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 906T70

Catalogue: Modern Fiction

Keywords: Chatterton Poetry Forgery Ackroyd Poetry None

Peter Ackroyd

Chatterton

London, Hamish Hamilton, 1987. First edition. Cloth. Peter Ackroyd's Booker Prize shortlist novel concerning plagiarism and poetry, a lovely first impression in its original dust wrapper. The first edition, first impression of this work. A novel by Peter Ackroyd exploring the mystery of Thomas Chatterton, eighteenth century young poet, influential on Romantic artists of his time. Discussing plagiarism and forgery through the investigations of a young poet and elderly novelist, this novel is both a tragic and comic work with meditations on human destiny and a satire on human folly. Complete with its original dust wrapper illustrating the famous painting 'The Death of Chatterton' by Henry Wallis, price-clipped. In the original publisher's full cloth binding. Externally lovely. The dust wrapper is price-clipped and excellent with minor shelf wear only. Internally, firmly bound. The pages clean with only a touch of age toning, as usual with the type of paper used. Fine . Ill.: None. Fine/Near Fine.

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 809A45

Catalogue: Modern Fiction

Keywords: peter ackroyd first editions chatterton first editions None

Peter Ackroyd

The Clerkenwell Tales

London, Chatto and Windus, 2003. First edition. Cloth. An excellent signed copy of this truly immersive historical gothic novel set during the Lollard movement of the late 1390s. The first edition of this work.Signed by the author to the title page.The Clerkenwell Tales is a historical novel set in the late 1390s, following the Lollard movement led by Dominus (a secret society of religious fundamentalists) and on a conspiracy against Richard II of England. From prolific English novelist and critic Peter Ackroyd. His specialist novels about English history and culture and his biographies of figures such as William Blake, Charles Dickens and T. S. Eliot, earned him the Somerset Maugham Award.  In the original cloth binding. In the original unclipped dust wrapper. Externally, excellent with minor shelf wear only. Dust wrapper is also excellent with minor edgewear. Internally, firmly bound with bright and clean pages. Fine . Ill.: None. Fine/Near Fine.

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 912Y24

Catalogue: Modern Fiction

Keywords: Historical Fiction Peter Ackroyd Signed Peter Ackroyd None

Peter Ackroyd

English Music

London, Hamish Hamilton Ltd, 1992. First edition. Cloth. A first trade edition, first impression of Peter Ackroyd's bildungsroman 'English Music', signed by the author. The first trade edition, first impression of this work in the publisher's original cloth binding, with the original unclipped dust wrapper.Signed by the author to the title page.Peter Ackroyd's sixth novel, a bildungsroman set in London, interspersed with a series of dream sequences inspired by English literature, art and culture. Peter Ackroyd is an award-winning author with a particular interest in the history of London. In the publisher's original cloth binding, with the original unclipped dust wrapper. Externally, excellent. Internally, firmly bound. Very light marginal age toning to pages which are otherwise bright and clean. Dust wrapper is very smart and bright, with a little sunning to the spine. Fine . Ill.: Not Stated. Fine/Near Fine.

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 943M5

Catalogue: Modern Fiction

Keywords: Peter Ackroyd Novels English culture Novels Not Stated

Peter Ackroyd

First Light

London, Hamish Hamilton, 1989. First edition. Cloth. A first edition of Peter Ackroyd's pastoral novel which reflects on the problem of time and the qualities of the English landscape. Peter Ackroyd (1949 -) is an English biographer and novelist who has a fascination with the history of London. He has won the Somerset Maugham award and two Whitbread Awards. In a cloth binding. Externally, very smart with no bumping or marks. Dustwrapper unclipped and in sound condition with very slight edgewear. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright and clean. Fine . Ill.: None. Fine/Fine.

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: MOD15-B-7

Catalogue: Modern Fiction

Keywords: peter ackroyd pastoral somerset maugham whitbread award pastoral None

Peter Ackroyd

Hawksmoor

London, Hamish Hamilton, 1985 . First edition. Cloth. A smart copy of Peter Ackroyd's historical novel, in the original, striking dust wrapper. In the publisher's original cloth binding, with the original dust wrapper.This is the second impression, published the same year as the first edition. Written by English biographer, novelist and critic, Peter Ackroyd, who is especially interested in the history and culture of London. This work won Best Novel at the 1985 Whitbread Awards and the Guardian Fiction Prize. 'Hawksmoor' tells the parallel stories of Nicholas Dyer, who builds seven churches in 18th century London for which he needs human sacrifices, and Nicholas Hawksmoor, a detective in the 1980s who investigates the murders committed in the same churches. In the publisher's original cloth binding, with the original dust wrapper, which has been price-clipped. Externally, lovely with minor shelf wear only. Dust wrapper is excellent, with minor shelf wear and a touch of sunning. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are clean with light age toning. Near Fine . Ill.: None. Near Fine/Near Fine.

Rooke BooksProfessional seller

Book number: 879Q3

Catalogue: Modern Fiction

Keywords: Peter Ackroyd Dust wrapper historical fiction fiction Dust wrapper None