The Devil
New York: Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1926. First U. S. Edition. Cloth hardcover. Duodecimo. xii, 104 pages. Bound in red cloth over boards with spine titled in black. A few shallow bumps to spine ends, slight lean to spine, prior owner name neatly stamped on title page, else fine. Jacket has original $2.00 price intact, shows light soil, minor wear to extremities including shallow chip at top of upper joint fold, short tear at head of spine taped from back side by prior owner, and a few rubbed nicks along lower joint fold. Overall a bright and attractive copy of this scarce Tolstoy first edition.
Here is the American edition of the first English translation of this Tolstoy novella. The story explores the destructive power of unchecked desire when a married man becomes obsessed with an attractive woman working in his household.
The plot is based on Tolstoy's own experience involving a female cook. He was able to resist, ultimately sending the woman away, but here he explores the consequences that might have resulted from yielding to temptation.
Tolstoy completed this story in 1889 but intentionally withheld it from publication during his lifetime. It was first published in 1911.
Item #1871
Price: $500