The Mandarins (1957), and Force of Circumstance (1965)

Two first UK editions of Simone de Beauvoir's novel and autobiography

Author

Publisher

Printing Details

Two first UK editions of Simone de Beauvoir's The Mandarins (1957) and Force of Circumstance (1965)

1. The Mandarins (Collins, London, 1957). Red cloth, translated by Leonard M Friedman. An epic romance, a philosophical argument and an honest and searing portrayal of what it means to be a woman. Good condition, but with some weakening to the binding at the title page and some red pen marginal marks.

2. Force of Circumstance (Andre Deutsch, 1965). Blue cloth, translated by Richard Howard. Simone de Beauvoir's autobiography, covering the years 1944–1952. Again, in good readable condition, but a few pages have editorial marks, and some corner creasing to the pages throughout.

Condition

Both books with signs of use including pen annotations, but still remaining readable.