The Vicar of Morbing Vyle
1993, the first printing of Richard Harland's cult horror novel
Author
Publisher
Printing Details
First edition, first printing. Paperback 18 × 11cm, 305pp.
A cult horror novel that effectively launched Richard Harland's career, considered a "lost gem" in speculative fiction, and known for its surreal atmosphere and dark humour. The story follows Martin Smythe, an Australian student at Cambridge who goes looking for the legendary, picturesque village of Morbing Vyle. Instead of a quaint village, he finds a nightmare: a desolate landscape of burned-out trees and a bizarre group of people living in a vicarage, obsessed with building the world's largest church.
The book is famous for a meta-fictional "Publisher's Warning" regarding Chapter 45, which describes the Vicar's "Ultimate Work of Art." It reads "Readers are advised to exercise extreme caution in relation to Chapter 45 and the Vicar's intended 'Ultimate Work of Art'. The nature of the actual Work should not be contemplated. Readers who attempt to imagine or hypothesise beyond the words of the text do so at their own risk. The publishers accept no responsibility for any mental, emotional, or psychosomatic damage incurred".
Condition
This copy is in very good condition. There is some very minor wear to the corners, and one or two small light dents to the front cover. There is a little mark from a small sticker to the ffep (a little yellowing where the sticker was, but no residue or scuffing). Pages clean and binding secure.
ISBN
0646129635
Books are currently zero-rated for duty (as of January 2026), so the price shown is the price you pay.
Price
£50.00
