Flaubert's Parrot [Inscribed by Tom Maschler to Nathaniel Tarn]

  • SIGNED
  • London: Jonathan Cape Ltd, 1985
By BARNES, Julian
London: Jonathan Cape Ltd, 1985. Fifth Impression. Octavo (22.25cm); black paper-covered boards, with titles stamped in gilt on spine; dustjacket; [10],11-190,[2]pp. Inscribed on the half-title page by Tom Maschler (1933-2020), head of publishing at Jonathan Cape, to Nathaniel Tarn, formerly the literary editor at Cape Goliard: "For my dear & old friend Tarn / who never reads modern fiction / May this be the exception....and may you even like it, perhaps love it / Julian / Sept 23, 86." Crown gently bumped, small tear and an attendant crease to lower edge of front endpaper; Near Fine. Dustjacket is unclipped (priced £8.50 net), with light wear and some corresponding wrinkling at upper spine panel; Near Fine.

Barnes's third book, a meditation on the precincts of art and life, involving an amateur detective in search of the stuffed parrot that inspired Gustave Flaubert. It was well-received, shortlisted for the Booker Prize, and winning the Geoffrey Faber Memorial Prize. This copy bearing an uncharacteristically lengthy and warm inscription to Nathaniel Tarn (1928-2024), noted poet, translator, and anthropologist who, we can confirm, did not warm to modern fiction overly much. 85610.

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Lorne Bair Rare Books

Specializing in The history, literature, and art of American social movements, including Civil Rights, Feminism, Labor History, Radical Politics, and Counterculture.