Joyce James

1949 · ref. 929Y63 — London: Michael Joseph 1949-1959. First edition. Cloth. Very Good/Good. 8" by 5". None. A set of four first edition novels from Anglo-Irish author Joyce Cary including the second and third parts to his 'Second Trilogy'. A bright selection of four titles from celebrated writer Joyce Cary including the second and third volumes to his 'Second Trilogy' carrying out his Firsts' style of having each volume narrated by one of three protagonists. Second impression of 'Captive and the Free' published in the same month as the first. All other volumes are first editions first impressions. With the publisher's original dust wrappers 'Except the Lord' being the only one clipped. The Second Trilogy centres on the career of a volatile politician Chester Nimmo and is told through the additional perspectives of his wife Nina and her cousin Jim. 'Except the Lord' 1953 recounts Nimmo's childhood and youth in the West Country detailing his poor circumstances and his sister Georgina's support for the family after their mother dies.'Not Honour More' 1955 centres more on Jim Nina's cousin. Set during the General Strike of 1926 Jim is married to Nina but living in an uncomfortable situation as Nimmo has moved in with them and clashes with his politics. The other two novels included in this set are:'A Fearful Joy' 1949 which covers the very full life of an English woman's life across two centuries. 'The Captive and the Free' 1959 Cary's last novel that explores the nature of belief and persuasion following a suspected fraudster Reverend Walter Preedy. In the original cloth bindings. With the original dust wrappers 'Except the Lord' being price-clipped. Externally very smart with only shelf wear to 'Except the Lord' and 'Not Honour More'. With a few damp stains to the boards of 'Fearful Joy' and 'Captive and the Free'. Dust wrapper for 'Fearful Joy' is largely chipped to the front with a few tape reinforcements over additional closed tears. Other dust wrappers are very smart with edge wear most notable to the spine heads and tails. Marks and spots to the wraps. Internally firmly bound. Pages are generally bright and clean with offsetting to the endpapers. Very Good Michael Joseph hardcover