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First impression of the true first edition, with the no "1" on the printer's page. By the author of "The Illusionist", which was short-listed for the Booker Prize. ***Near fine in red cloth-covered boards with gilt titles to the spine. The boards are clean and unmarked. No bumps or creases. No reading lean to the binding. Spine tight. Page block edges clean. Internally also near fine with no inscriptions. No creases or tears. Pages clean, crisp and white. ***In a near fine colour illustrated metallic-finish dustwrapper, which has not been price-clipped, retaining the original publisher's printed price of £16.99. No creases, chips or tears. No fading. Dustwrapper bright. ***501 pages. 240mm x 158mm. ***'1519. Shipwrecked on the tropical coast of Mexico, Geronimo is taken ashore by the natives. His life as a Spanish gentleman in the colonies is over. To survive in the new world he must abandon everything he knows and learn to live as they do.' (Quote taken from the front flap of the dustwrapper) ***'Anita Frances Mason (30 July 1942 - 8 September 2020) was an English novelist, best known as a Booker Prize nominee. She was the author of eight novels, including "The Illusionist" (1983), "The Racket" (1990), and "The Right Hand of the Sun" (2008). After studying English at Oxford University, Mason eventually began writing after periods spent working in publishing, journalism and organic farming. She was the author of eight novels, as well as a number of short stories. Mason was also the editor of "Frome Hundred" (2004), a collection of articles, poems and stories contributed by people from the area of Frome, Somerset at a number of writing workshops. Anita Mason died of polymyositis in Bristol on 8 September 2020. At the time of her death, she had written three short novels that remain unpublished. These were "Chuichui", set in contemporary Haiti, "Suppose", set in contemporary Israel, and "Andromeda", a dystopian tale set in south-west England that follows the consequences of the mass suicide of animals. ***'"The Right Hand of the Sun" deals with Hernán Cortés' conquest of Mexico in 1519-21, and is partly narrated by Cortes' interpreter, a Spaniard named Gerónimo de Aguilar, who had been shipwrecked in the area a decade earlier, and had lived for years as a member of an indigenous tribe. The novel begins at the point where Geronimo decides to leave his village and joins Hernán Cortés' expedition as a translator. As he becomes aware of the true motives of the expedition, he becomes increasingly ambivalent about his decision. Cortés is revealed as a ruthless and cunning opportunist who persuades his men to travel inland to conquer the city of Tenochtitlan, the capital of the wealthy empire of the Meshica people and their ruler, Moctezuma. As the expedition nears its goal, the narrative returns to the tale of Geronimo's shipwreck and his life in the winic village of Chanek. The narrative then continues with the story of the expedition's arrival in Tenochtitlan, where it meets with a peaceful reception. After some time, however, the Meshica become angry at the behaviour of Cortés and his men and, after the death of Moctezuma, drive them from the city. Accompanied by members of other tribes, Cortés returns to carry out a bloody siege. (Wiki) ***A first impression of the true first edition, in near fine collectable 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.
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