Coronation: A Novel of Modern Chile (Inscribed by Author to Stephen Gray)

New York: Alfred A Knopf, 1965

8vo (21,5 x 14,5 x 2,4cm) 262pp. Original green and blue hardcover binding, with gilt lettering and red inlaid designs to spine. Top edge stained blue, and with deckled edges.

Inscribed by the author to the late South African poet and novelist Stephen Gray. Also includes Gray’s signature to front free endpaper.

Don Andrés Àbalos is the symbol of the decadence of the Chilean aristocracy. He has led a fairly meaningless and empty life during his fifty-eight years but everything changes when a seventeen year old peasant girl, Estela, comes to live in his house to look after his senile grandmother. Don Andrés, to his own chagrin, falls in love with Estela. However, she is not interested, as she already has a boyfriend. Her boyfriend and his brother, with the collusion of Estela, decide to rob Don Andrés’ house. Donoso gives us a wonderful portrait of the decline and fall of the Chilean aristocracy as represented by Don Andrés, as well as the loneliness and emptiness of their lives. (themodernnovel.org)

Condition: Very good. The top and tail of spine of the dust jacket have been reinforced with adhesive tape. Some chipping to edges of dust jacket, which has been covered with a Brodart protective plastic sleeve. Very minor bumps to the corners of the boards. All else fine. Text is clean, and copy is well bound.