First edition of Baldwin's last and longest novel, an attempt to "face [his] own legends," built around the story of a Black musician's life told by his brother.
Near fine in very good minus jacket.
Price: $65.00
"Arthur does not know if he can live without love. Neither, on the other hand, can he invent it."
Baldwin's epic and ambitious late novel, written from the author's house in St-Paul-de-Vence, works toward a glimpse of a "utopian domestic space occupied by two black men in love" (Zaborowska) in its final pages: a much longed for, hard-won, and briefly held space for work and happiness. "It was beautiful to watch them; freedom is an extraordinary spectacle."
Read more: Traylor, "I Hear Music in the Air: James Baldwin's Just Above My Head"; Baldwin, James Baldwin: The Last Interview; Zaborowska, Me and My House: James Baldwin's Last Decade in France.
First printing. New York: The Dial Press, (1979). 9.25'' x 6''. Original burgundy cloth boards, gilt-lettered spine and front board. In original unclipped ($12.95) glossy color typographic dust jacket with design by Jack Ribik, photo of Baldwin by Max Petrus to rear panel. Tan endpapers. [10], 597, [1] pages. Jacket with edgewear and a few small closed tears, chipping to spine head, vertical creasing to front flap. Book with trace shelfsoil only. Interior bright and clean.
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