About this Item
First impression of the first English translation - published by Paul S. Eriksson, Inc., New York in 1970. Translated from the Faroese and with an extensive 14pp introduction by John F. West. With back and white line illustrations by the Faroese artist, Barour Jacobsen throughout, including title-page vignette of a Faroe Island fisherman. ***Near fine in blue cloth-covered boards with silver titles to the spine. The boards are clean and unmarked. Very slight creasing to the top and tail of the spine - otherwise no bumps or creases. No reading lean to the binding. Spine tight. Page block edges clean. Internally also near fine with no inscriptions. Paper stock lightly tanned. Pages clean. No creases or tears. ***In a very good line-illustrated dustwrapper, which has not been price-clipped, retaining the original publisher's printed price of $5.95. The dustwrapper is virtually complete, with just some slight loss at the top and tail of the spine. The edges are nicked and creased, particularly near the spine and corners. Closed tears with associated creasing at the bottom edge of the front panel (clear taped on the reverse). No fading. Dustwrapper bright. ***214mm x 144mm. xix prelim-pages plus 203 text-pages. ***'There is, in this remarkable novel out of the Faroe Islands in the North Sea, a unique earthiness and rich humanity that bridges a generation gap across the centuries. The skilfully told story of a handful of people, living their sea-washed, daring and difficult lives on these remote islands, vibrates with a spirit, almost at times a savagery that recalls the ancient Norsemen and Viking sagas. Yet this is the story of modern times: these are the people of the Faroe Islands today, from the opening chapter with its whale kill in the harbor, with all the people participating in its blood and foam and fury, to the delicate moments when Ketil and his wife, alone at home in their bleak, treeless island world, begin to deal with a problem of an unlooked-for indebtedness that could tear apart their lives. ***It is not a story of characters but of people, of human beings whose lives and struggles, tragedies and laughter, are all the more moving and real because of the remoteness and isolation of their rockbound universe. ***Described as the story of the struggle between old and new, this unusual novel has won praise throughout the Scandinavian world. one literary critic wrote: "The dialogue is rich and powerful" --- Another termed it "A pearl of glistening humor". Declared a third: "The old village folk with Ketil as chief character are simple and primitive in many ways but they are real and big enough in their place in life --- It is a book difficult to put aside, once begun, and when finished even more difficult to put out of one's thoughts.' (Quotes taken from the flaps of the dustwrapper) ***First impression of the first US edition, and first edition in English, in a direct translation from the Faroese, thought by many to be the author's finest work. Printed using quality cream paper and beautifully illustrated by Faroese artist Barour Jacobsen. This edition is very hard to find now in any condition. ***For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only: we will reduce the P & P charge where appropriate - please contact us for postal rates for heavier books and sets etc. Seller Inventory # 9034
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Bibliographic Details
Title: THE OLD MAN AND HIS SONS (First US edition ...
Publisher: Paul S. Eriksson, Inc, 119 West 57th Street, New York
Publication Date: 1970
Binding: Hardcover
Illustrator: Barour Jacobsen
Condition: Near Fine
Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good
Edition: First American Edtion
