Synopsis
In a British colony in West Africa, Henry Scobie is a pious and righteous man of modest means enlisted with securing borders. But when he’s passed over for a promotion as commissioner of police, the humiliation hits hardest for his wife, Louise. Already oppressed by the appalling climate, frustrated in a loveless marriage, and belittled by the wives of more privileged officers, Louise wants out.
Feeling responsible for her unhappiness, Henry decides against his better judgment to accept a loan from a black marketeer to secure Louise’s passage. It’s just a single indiscretion, yet for Henry it precipitates a rapid fall from grace as one moral compromise after another leads him into a web of blackmail, adultery, and murder. And for a devout man like Henry, there may be nothing left but damnation.
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From the Inside Flap
Scobie, a police officer serving in a war-time West African state, is distrusted, being scrupulously honest and immune to bribery. But then he falls in love, and in doing so is forced to betray everything he believes in, with tragic consequences.
From the Back Cover
"A superb storyteller with a gift for provoking controversy." -- New York Times
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Search results for The Heart of the Matter
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The Heart of the Matter
Published by
The Viking Press, NY, 1948
ISBN 10: 0884116549
ISBN 13: 9780884116547
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Acme Book Company, Kennebunkport, ME, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Good. First Edition; First Printing. First American Edition. Boards lightly edgeworn; endpapers browned; name on front endpaper. DJ has significant rubbing, chipping and wear, with soiling on DJ rear. ; Height: 9 Inches, Length: 5.75 Inches, Weight: 1.00089866948 Pounds, Width:; 306 pages. Seller Inventory # 370
Stock Image
The Heart of the Matter
Published by
Viking, E-027, 1948
ISBN 10: 0884116549
ISBN 13: 9780884116547
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Last Exit Books, Charlottesville, VA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good-. First Edition; First Printing. Hardcover. 8vo. The Viking Press, New York. 1948. 297 pgs. First Edition/First Printing. DJ has shelf-wear present to the DJ extremities. Bound in red and grey cloth with gilt titles present to the spine. Bound in cloth boards with titles present to the spine and front board. Boards have light shelf-wear present to the extremities. No ownership marks present. Text is clean and free of marks. Binding tight and solid. In a British colony in West Africa, Henry Scobie is a pious and righteous man of modest means enlisted with securing borders. But when he's passed over for a promotion as commissioner of police, the humiliation hits hardest for his wife, Louise. Already oppressed by the appalling climate, frustrated in a loveless marriage, and belittled by the wives of more privileged officers, Louise wants out. Feeling responsible for her unhappiness, Henry decides against his better judgment to accept a loan from a black marketeer to secure Louise's passage. It's just a single indiscretion, yet for Henry it precipitates a rapid fall from grace as one moral compromise after another leads him into a web of blackmail, adultery, and murder. And for a devout man like Henry, there may be nothing left but damnation. EB; 1 x 7.9 x 5.3 Inches. Seller Inventory # 69171