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Appignanesi, Richard : Italia Perversa: Stalin's Orphans/the Mosque/destroying America

Quartet Books, London, England, 1985

ISBN 0704325098

First Edition / First Printing. Fine in Fine Dust Jacket. 900 pages. The author's debut multi-volume novel. One of the most important literary trilogies of the 20th century. Published as separate volumes between 1985 and 1986, they are brought together by the publisher as a complete trilogy for the very first time. The first appearance of the titles as a set. Precedes and should not be confused with all other such editions in about twelve languages. There is no American Edition of any of the books. The set is now scarce. Presents Richard Appignanesi's "Italia Perversa". An epic work in the grand manner. The three volumes correspond to the three parts of the novel. Part One is "Stalin's Orphans"; Part Two, "The Mosque", and Part Three, "Destroying America". One of the most ambitious literary projects of the 20th century, the Canadian Richard Appignanesi (he is of Italian ancestry) chronicles the lives of Piero Orsini and Madeleine Castigny de Nichel. "Theirs is a complex story of jealousy, vendetta, memory, and terror, in which the characters are uncompromising, always driven to 'see passion to the end'. The trilogy moves between Montreal, Vienna, and Zagreb, alien cities peopled with demonic characters. Its impressive qualities of expression and ingenious structures are certain to place 'Italia Perversa' alongside the other great fiction cycles of 20th-century literature, making Richard Appignanesi the natural heir to the grand tradition of Musil, Mann, Faulkner, and Durrell" (Publisher's blurb). The author received both the Quebec and Canada Council Grants to devote himself to his trilogy. Following Walter Benjamin's injunction for the modern writer to be a producer, he created the now-celebrated series of books called Beginners ("Freud for Beginners", "Lenin for Beginners", and "Rios for Beginners" are his own contributions), an ongoing Series that integrates texts with illustrations, photography, and comics for both the general reader and scholar alike. Appignanesi also writes poetry, translations, and art criticism, and has been called the Glenn Gould of Canadian writer/intellectuals, and as it happens, his first love is music and he studied to be both a pianist and composer. "An exciting, complex, and intensely rewarding novel" (Angus Wilson). An absolute "must-have" title for Richard Appignanesi collectors. This title is a contemporary classic. This is one of few copies of the First British Set Edition/First Printing still available online and is in especially fine condition: Clean, crisp, and bright, pristine beauties. Please note: Copies available online have serious flaws, are subsequent printings, or are remainder-marked. This is surely an accessible and lovely alternative. A scarce set thus. Regarded by critics and admirers as one of the greatest trilogies of the 20th century. One of the finest writers of the 20th century. A fine set. . ISBN 0704325098.

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