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Weschler, Lawrence : Calamities Of Exile: Three Nonfiction Novellas

University Of Chicago Press, Chicago, IL, 1998

ISBN 0226893936

First Edition / First Printing. Fine in Fine Dust Jacket. 199 pages. Retrospective collection of novella-like accounts. One of the most important literary events of our time. The First Hardcover Edition. Precedes and should not be confused with the Softcover Edition. Published in a small and limited print run as a hardcover original only by a University Press. The First Edition is now scarce. Presents Lawrence Weschler's "Calamities of Exile: Three Nonfiction Novellas". Masterly accounts on exile. Possibly the protean and indefatigable Lawrence Weschler's best book. "The three essays engage directly with the theme of political exile by delving into the lives of three exiles: South African author Breyten Breytenbach, who would attempt to re-enter the country to participate more actively in the struggle against apartheid, only to be captured and imprisoned; Kanan Makiya, an Iraqi whose 'Republic of Fear' offered many Westerners their first in-depth knowledge of Saddam Hussein's regime; and Jan Karan, a participant in the 1968 Revolution in Prague who, after years of running a smuggling operation in and out of Czechoslovakia, would return to his liberated homeland only to be denounced for alleged collaboration with its Communist oppressors. Lawrence Weschler is one of the late-20th century's best journalists, a master of the profile format. He offers the reader tremendous amounts of information, including extensive historical backgrounds, without ever sacrificing any of his prose's immediacy or clarity. Given that his three subjects have each fought against oppressive regimes, it would be easy to portray them as simplistic heroes, but Weschler takes great pains to show the full complexities of their characters, even when it casts them in a less than flattering light. You will learn much about international politics but more important, you will learn much about people" (Ron Hogan). "His thorough accounting of the men's covert operations, assumed identities, and strained relationships with fathers, wives, and colleagues creates a disturbing triptych of the perils of totalitarianism" (The New York Times). An absolute "must-have" title for Lawrence Weschler collectors. This title is a contemporary classic. This is one of few copies of the First Hardcover Edition/First Printing still available online and is in especially fine condition: Clean, crisp, and bright, a pristine beauty. 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 copy thus. One of the finest journalist/writers of our time. A fine copy. (SEE ALSO OTHER LAWRENCE WESCHLER TITLES IN OUR CATALOG). ISBN 0226893936.

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