The Cave

First edition in English. 8vo. 152pp. Grey paper boards.

A rare signed copy.

Translated from the Dutch by Sam Garrett (twice-winner of the British Society of Authors' Vondel Prize for Dutch-English translation). Originally published as De grot by Bert Bakker, Amsterdam, in 1997.

Dutch author's second novel, following Het Gouden Ei (The Golden Egg) which was successfully filmed by George Sluizer as The Vanishing. A divorced geologist down on his luck seeks help from an amoral drug-dealer friend under whose charismatic spell he's fallen since their first meeting as teenagers on a cave field trip. A psychological thriller noir taking in friendship, drugs, and – ultimately – murder.

Author of "the greatest cycling book of all time" – De Renner (The Rider) – and a renowned chess player active on the championship circuit of the late 60s, Krabbé still maintains his own chess website. "Krabbé's carefully constructed narrative has a geometry so precise that the patterns buried under the surface emerge only in the final pages." –New York Times