The author's scarce second novel

Selvon, Samuel ~ An Island is a World

Allan Wingate, London : 1955

The First UK printing published by Allan Wingate, London in 1955. 8vo., original publisher's bright yellow boards lettered in black to spine with publisher's device to foot (Some copies were issued with blue boards but with no precedence) ; together in the unclipped pictorial wrapper (12s 6d net to front flap), with a design showing figures on a tropical island; The BOOK a tight, bright copy, very light pushing and toning to spine tips; some sporadic spotting affecting outer edges and prelims (one tiny spot to spine); The WRAPPER is in Very Good++ condition. The front panel clean and bright; shelf darkening. Some edge-wear with short closed tears and rubbing to edges, particularly to spine tips and edges; one small closed tear to the lower panel. The wrapper is protected in a removable Brodart archival cover. A lovely copy of Samuel Selvon's scarce second novel, which tells the story of a series of interconnected relationships in Trinidad, West Indies. Characters include 'the fat old jeweller', Johnnie, his wife and daughters, two brothers leaving the confines of the island to seek a better life in London and the US, the priest Father Hope, and several others. Selvon was himself Trinidadian, and worked for the Trinidadian Guardian as a reporter, penning short stories in his spare time, before moving to London in 1950. There, his contributions began to appear in the London Magazine, New Statesman, and The Nation. 'An Island is a World' is his second novel, published just one year before the huge success of 'The Lonely Londoners', the book which shot him to fame for its use of creole language and a focus on working-class black people in the wake of the British Nationality Act 1948. "A vivid picture of the life of West Indian immigrants in London" (Wrapper blurb). Scarce in any collectible condition.

BINDING: Hardcover
CONDITION: Very Good++
JACKET: Very Good++