1BuzzBuzzard
Time for a new one.
I just finished reading the 1948 LEC Nana. This was my first Zola, so a rather exciting experience. For me the story started a little slow and I had hard times keeping up with the characters. Soon enough it all started making sense and the pace picked up. Will definitely get to Germinal at some point. The LEC is on the larger side with pinkish silk covers. According to the monthly letter it is a most unusual and most attractive material for a book cover. I don't disagree but the material is prone to fading and books in fine condition are often hard to come by. Not impossible as I have stumbled upon some close to fine copies around $50 and at the end ended up with two copies. Excellent price for the quality. The illustrator for the book is Bernard Lamotte, who again according to the ML is one of the most accomplished of living painters and one of the most imaginative of illustrators. Fine, but I wished despite the dark undertone of the story he used a little color. Something more in line with his pictures for Bel Ami. My copy came with uncut pages. For the first time I used a playing card to take care of this problem. It worked great for this rag paper of deep and creamy tone. Honestly, I doubt anyone can tell it is almost 80 years old. The story might have been shocking for the 1880's reading public. But despite of its unfavorable press it created an enormous sale. An example that there is no bad publicity. A fine classic in an equally fine edition.
I just finished reading the 1948 LEC Nana. This was my first Zola, so a rather exciting experience. For me the story started a little slow and I had hard times keeping up with the characters. Soon enough it all started making sense and the pace picked up. Will definitely get to Germinal at some point. The LEC is on the larger side with pinkish silk covers. According to the monthly letter it is a most unusual and most attractive material for a book cover. I don't disagree but the material is prone to fading and books in fine condition are often hard to come by. Not impossible as I have stumbled upon some close to fine copies around $50 and at the end ended up with two copies. Excellent price for the quality. The illustrator for the book is Bernard Lamotte, who again according to the ML is one of the most accomplished of living painters and one of the most imaginative of illustrators. Fine, but I wished despite the dark undertone of the story he used a little color. Something more in line with his pictures for Bel Ami. My copy came with uncut pages. For the first time I used a playing card to take care of this problem. It worked great for this rag paper of deep and creamy tone. Honestly, I doubt anyone can tell it is almost 80 years old. The story might have been shocking for the 1880's reading public. But despite of its unfavorable press it created an enormous sale. An example that there is no bad publicity. A fine classic in an equally fine edition.
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