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Le Clezio, J. M. G. (Translated by Daphne Woodward) : The Interrogation

Simon & Schuster, New York City, NY, 2008

ISBN 1439149186

First Edition / First Printing. Fine in Fine Dust Jacket. 243 pages. New Reissued Edition of the author's breakthrough debut novel. One of the most sensational literary debuts of the 20th century. The first appearance of the title in this "Nobel Prize Award" Edition. 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. The First Edition is now scarce. The DJ design is brilliant: On the cover, it shows the handsome, 23-year-old J. M. G. Le Clezio, as photographed by the late Helmut Newton. On the back, Le Clezio is shown in 2008, still-handsome at 68, as photographed by Catherine Helie. Presents J. M. G. Le Clezio's "The Interrogation" in a felicitous English translation. His experimental first novel, often called the "French Catcher In The Rye". "Has told his story without a single recourse to philosophical, moral or metaphysical jargon. His tone has a tranquillity which conveys all the ultimate sense of the profound meaning of life, a tone for poets" (L'Express). Le Clezio won the Prix Renaudot for his novel, then decided that the French literary scene was not for him, promptly spent most of his adult life abroad, and went on to write more than forty books. One of them is available in translation, and is particularly significant for the author himself, "Mexican Dream, Or The Interrupted Thought of Amerindian Civilizations" (1993). To write the novel, Le Clezio studied (and translated into French) the ancient Mayan texts. In other words, he went from being a literary sensation to a serious student of speech as the true basis of literature. Producing a very large body of work in the process is another genuine achievement for a prodigy. Most prodigies, particularly literary ones, burn out very quickly and stop writing altogether. Le Clezio never stopped writing, but because he is a ferocious critic of the European (that is, American-colonial) destruction of the Native American languages and histories, he has been a marginal figure throughout his long literary life. "A conjurer who tried to lift words above the degenerate state of everyday speech and to restore them the power to invoke an essential reality" (Nobel Prize Citation). An absolute "must-have" title for J. M. G. Le Clezio collectors. This title is a modern classic. This is one of few copies of the First Edition Thus/First Printing still available online and is in especially fine condition: Clean, crisp, and bright, a pristine beauty. Please note: The 1964 First English-Language Edition commands about $2500 even though none of the few copies available online is in fine condition. This is surely an accessible and lovely alternative. A scarce copy thus. Winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2008. One of the greatest writers of our time. A fine copy. (SEE ALSO OTHER J. M. G. LE CLEZIO TITLES IN OUR CATALOG). ISBN 1439149186.

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LE CLEZIO, J.M.G : The Interrogation

Hamish Hamilton, 1964

A vg++ copy (tape stains inside boards and endpapers,, bled through to 1/2 title) in a vg+ d.w., spine tanned/faded with spine ends worn and tiny chip head spine, the flapfold hinges have been motheed with scarring and numerous tiny holes, still firmly attached. The front panel artwork intact. Overall an attractive sensibly priced example of this scarce first book by the Nobel Prize-winner.

First English Edition

LE CLEZIO, J.M.G : The Interrogation

Hamish Hamilton, 1964

A fine copy in a near fine d.w., spine lightly faded, two small tape stains to blank margins of the flapfolds. The Nobel laureate's scarce first book.

First English Edition

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