The Serpent of Paradise. Rider, London.

Miguel Serrano – The Serpent of Paradise. Rider, London, 1963 First English edition. Published in 1963 by Rider, London, The Serpent of Paradise is the first English edition and one of the most significant books by Miguel Serrano. Conceived as the account of a pilgrimage through India, the work quickly transcends the travel narrative to become a spiritual autobiography and a metaphysical inquiry of considerable scope. The book traces a journey from the Andes to the Himalayas and back again, yet the true trajectory is inward. Serrano weaves together personal experiences, encounters with spiritual teachers, reflections on Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sufism, and a distinctly mystical interpretation of Christianity. Throughout the text, the serpent functions as a central symbol of knowledge, transformation, and inner awakening, recurring across landscapes, sacred cities, rituals, and visionary episodes. The structure of the volume reinforces its initiatory character. Geographic movement parallels an inner process marked by revelations, tensions, silences, and moments of spiritual ambiguity. The prose alternates between lyrical contemplation and doctrinal assertion, anticipating many of the ideas Serrano would later develop with greater intensity: the notion of a primordial tradition, a critique of modernity, and mysticism understood as direct, transformative knowledge. This title occupies a key place in Serrano’s body of work, as it crystallizes the themes that define his spiritual and literary project. As such, it remains a foundational text for understanding his thought and his singular position within twentieth-century spiritual and esoteric literature. The first English edition of 1963 is particularly sought after by collectors, scholars, and readers of mystical and esoteric works, both for its bibliographical importance and for its status as an early, formative statement of Serrano’s vision. Technical details Author: Miguel Serrano Title: The Serpent of Paradise. The Story of an Indian Pilgrimage Publisher: Rider Place of publication: London Year: 1963 Language: English Pages: 270 Binding: Hardcover with illustrated dust jacket Edition: First English edition Subject: Esotericism, mysticism, spiritual travel Condition: See images.…