Books

New York: Boni & Liveright, 1926. First edition. Near Fine/Very Good. A Near Fine copy of the book in Very Good only dust jacket. Book clean and fresh, with a small Nashville bookseller's label on the rear paste-down. Dust jacket only Very Good on account of some moderate chipping at the spine ends and corners, one inch tear near the crown repaired on the verso with tape. Flap folds starting to crack, reinforced on the verso with archival, binder's tape. Spine a bit toned. An uncommon book in dust jacket, one of just 2500 copies originally printed. Housed in a custom black quarter-leather slipcase with chemise. "Soldier's Pay is William Faulkner's first published novel. It begins with a train journey on which two American soldiers, Joe Gilligan and Julian Lowe, are returning from the First World War. There they meet a scarred, lethargic, and withdrawn fighter pilot, Donald Mahon, who was presumed dead by his family. The novel continues to focus on Mahon and his slow deterioration,…

"Soldiers' Pay" by William Faulkner explores the post-World War I landscape through the experiences of returning soldiers grappling with the harrowing effects of war trauma. The narrative orbits around Captain Donald Mahon, whose physical injuries and emotional scars from the war have left him disillusioned and estranged from his pre-war existence. Mahon's return to his hometown of Jefferson, Mississippi, reveals the stark contrast between his altered self and the unchanged community around him. His struggles with the horrors of war, coupled with the inability to reintegrate into civilian life, manifest in his strained relationships and emotional detachment. The novel intertwines Mahon's story with those of other characters, notably Joe Gilligan, a fellow soldier whose loyalty and friendship become a lifeline for Mahon amidst his inner turmoil. The narrative also explores the impact of war on Mahon's family and acquaintances, reflecting the broader societal effects of the war's aftermath. Faulkner delves deep into the psychological toll of war, portraying themes of loss, disillusionment, and the haunting memories that haunt soldiers long after the conflict ends. The novel serves as a poignant commentary on the challenges faced by returning veterans and the difficulties they encounter in reconciling their wartime experiences with civilian life. Through evocative prose and multi-layered characters, Faulkner paints a compelling portrait of a generation grappling with the aftermath of war, exploring the themes of trauma, alienation, and the search for meaning and connection in a world forever altered by the ravages of conflict. "Soldiers' Pay" stands as a powerful testament to the human cost of war and the profound impact it leaves on those who bear its scars.

A Boni & Liveright first edition of 'Soldiers' Pay' can be identified by its dark green cloth cover with a lighter green cloth spine, and the presence of 'Boni & Liveright' on the spine and title page, along with the absence of additional printings mentioned.