Books

First edition, first impression, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, "from Liam O'Flaherty With affectionate regards to J. N. Block". This thriller, the author's most popular work, "draws on his own brief experience of the [Irish] Civil War to present a grim but psychologically compelling portrait of divided allegiances and intolerable mental pressure" (Vance, p. 182). The work received that year's James Tait Black Memorial Prize and inspired the Oscar-winning film of 1935 starring Victor McLaglen. Octavo. Original green cloth, spine lettered in gilt. With dust jacket. Bookplate to front pastedown, spine just a touch faded but an excellent copy in the nicked dust jacket with some mild tanning at the spine. Norman Vance, Irish Literature Since 1800, 2002.

Set during the Irish War of Independence, 'The Informer' tells the story of Gypo Nolan, a man who betrays his friend, Frankie McPhillip, to the British authorities for a reward, and is subsequently consumed by guilt and paranoia. It is a gripping exploration of moral conflict and psychological turmoil.