The Unicorn

First edition. Crown 8vo. Pp. 319, [1, blank]. Publisher's pale olive cloth boards, titled in gilt to spine, top edge stained grey-blue in a pictorial dustjacket (priced 21s to front flap). Jacket artwork by Christopher Cornford.

Signed by Author to title page. Heavy foxing to fore-edges, lighter foxing to free endpapers, else Fine. Previous owner's name pencilled-in to front endpaper, with further entries in pencil to rear endpaper noting place and date of purchase (Harrod's Library Jan 1965 sale), date of signing by author (November 1965), and dates of two re-reads (1999/2000). [These could easily be erased, leaving no trace behind, but we think it adds to the authenticity of the volume to leave them in place].

Author's seventh novel. A combination of traditional fairy-tale, medieval courtly romance, and 18th century Gothic novel set in an Irish castle that could also be read as a deliberate subversion of all three genres. "Miss Murdoch has taken the stock elements of the Gothic novel and wrung hell out of them.... A strange combination of fairy tale and blood-and-thunder." –Books and Bookmen

[Fletcher & Bove A0629]