Books

First UK printing published by Chatto & Windus, London in 1930. The BOOK is in Very Good++ or better condition. Slightly cocked with only a tiny bump to the front top edge and to the top corner. Some light sporadic spotting to the fore text-block. The dark green top stain is bright and the pages are very clean. Light offsetting to the blank end-papers. The WRAPPER is complete and is in Very Good++ or better condition. Small losses to the spine tips. There is some splitting to the edge of the inside flap fold. There are a couple of small chips to the corners along with a small closed tear to the inside lower flap. There are two tiny holes to the spine. The panels are clean with just some very light toning to the spine. The wrapper remains very bright in the removable Brodart archival cover. Faulkner's debut novel was originally published in the USA in 1926, and it wasn't until 1930 that it was published in the UK and most likely in a small print run. The novel on the front wrapper…

"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.