The Comedians

New York: The Viking Press, 1966 First American edition, advance issue. One of 500 copies "specially bound for presentation to friends of the author and the publishers in advance of publication." Publisher's green buckram, front board ruled in blind, black labels to spine with titles in gilt, and black topstain; in the original acetate dust jacket. Fine book; near fine dust jacket, with a small chip to top edge of rear panel. With publisher's holiday greeting card laid in. Overall, a fresh and bright copy. The Comedians is a novel set in Haiti under the rule of François "Papa Doc" Duvalier. As with Greene's other works about British civilians living abroad in warring nations, the novel presents itself as pure fiction yet provides a strikingly accurate outsider's portrayal of the social and political landscape. Greene even states in his introduction that "Poor Haiti itself and the character of Doctor Duvalier's rule are not invented, the latter not even blackened for dramatic effect. Impossible to deepen that night." Unsurprisingly, Duvalier banned both Greene and The Comedians from Haiti.. First American Edition, Advance Issue. Hard Cover. Fine/Dust Jacket Included.