"WE WHO LIVED THERE SAW OUR STREET AS A WORLD, WHERE EVERYBODY WAS QUITE DIFFERENT FROM EVERYBODY ELSE"

NAIPUL, V.S. Miguel Street. (London): Andre Deutsch, (1959). Octavo, original black paper boards, original dust jacket. $1500.

First edition of Naipaul's powerful collection of stories about colonial Trinidad.

"Miguel Street by V. S. Naipaul, is a beguiling book about growing up in the West Indies. The sketches are written lightly, so that tragedy is understated and comedy is overstated, yet the ring of truth always prevails. A comparison with "Porgy and Bess" has been suggested. The parallel has at least the merit of reminding us that the whole world is one. In that hospitable mood we might also remember Mark Twain's tales of life on the Mississippi. But Miguel Street, in Trinidad, is not really very much like Catfish Row, nor are reminders of nineteenth-century Missouri prevalent. What is true and, if you will, significant about Mr. Naipaul's book is that it presents a world of its own excellently" (New York Times). Owner signature. Bookseller label.

Book fine, dust jacket extremely good with a couple closed tears at creases, hint of dampstaining mainly on verso, and mild toning to spine. A desirable copy.