Backbone

1933 · ref. 014261 — London: Denis Archer 1933. 1st Edition 1st Printing. Hardcover. Good Plus. First edition first printing. Hardback bound in brown cloth with gilt titling to spine author's name misspelt as Bernard. 19 × 12.5cm 261pp. There is no publisher noted at the base of the spine but this appears to be normal for this title. A strikingly eccentric work of speculative fiction from 1933 The Milk in the Cocoanut serves as a 'future history' that imagines the world from 1940 through to the 21st century. Written by W. Barnard Faraday - an economist barrister and aviation pioneer - the novel blends high science with metaphysical absurdity. The narrative follows the world-altering discoveries of a bizarre cast including Ezra Gooch the 'Professor of Subliminal Mathematics' and John Peter Moab whose radical research suggests a biological divide in the human race: that some possess souls while others do not. From the influence of the shaman Okki-Okki to the dawn of a new philosophical era Faraday's work is a rare example of the 'odd-book' genre - a strange satirical and intellectually dense precursor to modern social science fiction. Faraday is perhaps best remembered for his Arthurian fantasy Pendragon but this scarce volume remains his most curious contribution to the literature of the future. Condition: This is a good solid copy but has spotted foxing heaviest to the title page and lessening through the book. There is also spotted foxing to the page edges. The inner binding is secure and the book remains in strong readable condition. Denis Archer hardcover