Books

First Edition (1911), unstated in accordance with William Heinemann's customary practice at the time of publication. Good+ in Fair DJ: Book shows indications of moderate use: binding shows slight lean, but remains quite secure; light wear to extremities; the corner tips somewhat soft, but not bumped; moderate rubbing and rather heavy soiling to the cloth-covered boards; former owner's name and date "5-xi-'12" at the front free end paper; the top edge is a bit dusted; the binding remains secure; the text is clean. Free of creased or dog-eared pages in the text. Free of any underlining, highlighting or marginalia or marks in the text. A handsome copy, structurally sound and tightly bound, showing mild wear and several minor, unobtrusive cosmetic flaws. The DJ shows heavy wear to extremities, with small chip loss; the hinges are split and the bottom third of the back strip is also split from the rest and the whole affair is only held together by a clear plastic sleeve; mild rubbing and only faint soiling; the back strip is somewhat darkened, but the printed titles remain legible. NOT a Remainder, Book-Club, or Ex-Library. 8vo. (7.85 x 5.75 x 1.5 inches). 350 pages. Language: English. Weight: 18.3 ounces. Rag-edged Fore-Edge and bottom edge. Hardback with DJ. First Edition of the author-artist's only novel with the rather scarce DJ. Originally published in 1911, Beerbohm's only novel is an absolute delight to read. The titular Zuleika visits her grandfather, a Warden at an Oxford college. She is a professional magician, but more known for her beauty than for her skill. Immediately men at Oxford begin to fall in love with her. The most important is the Duke of Dorset, a paragon of aristocratic virtue and a shining star at his college. He's never been in love before and his reaction to it is rather extreme. Honestly, the plot isn't all that complex and is even a little silly. What makes the book is the wit and pure talent with words that Beerhohm brings to it. The Duke's proposal speech is one of the most purely pleasurable things I'd read for a long time. Reading this book is a bit like eating candy - it's just so enjoyable and lighthearted, even though the subject matter is - at least in outline - pretty dark. Beerhohm had such a superlative way with words. First Edition (1911), unstated in accordance with William Heinemann's customary practice at the time of publication.

Zuleika Dobson is a novel by Max Beerbohm, widely regarded as a classic of English literature, and one of the best known satirical novels.