The Naive and Sentimental Lover

LE CARRE, John

Published by Hodder and Stoughton, London, 1971

About this Item

Octavo, 416pp. A very good copy in the publisher's black cloth, with a stain to the top corner of the page block, not affecting the interior. In a very good dust jacket, with some bubbling to the lamination on the rear panel, and the spine panel gently sunned. SIGNED and INSCRIBED by Le Carre on the title page in the year of publication: "For Mr. Pemberton of Bowes and Bowes from John Le Carre 25 [Aug?] 71." We could not identify "Mr. Pemberton," but Bowes and Bowes was a famous bookshop in Cambridge. We examined an uncorrected proof, which identifies the publication date as 20 September, thus this seems to be a pre-publication copy, possibly one of Le Carre's own author copies, presented to a favorite bookseller. Le Carre's only non-espionage novel since "The Spy Who Came In From the Cold." The novel received mixed reviews, and Le Carre expressed some regret at having published it in later interviews, recognizing that he had perhaps erred in straying from his strength as an espionage writer. Indeed, he followed this novel with the "Karla Trilogy" ("Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" and its two subsequent novels), regarded by many of his fans as his crowning achievement. This novel is particuarly uncommon signed, especially with a contemporary inscription.

Seller Inventory # 13934

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Naive and Sentimental Lover
• Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton, London
• Publication Date: 1971
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: First Edition.
• Condition: Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: near fine
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)
• Seller catalogs:
  • British literature