The Book of Happiness is one of the outstanding novels the great Russian writer Nina Berberova wrote during the years she lived in Paris, and the most autobiographical. "All Berberova's characters-including Berberova herself-live raw, unfurnished lives, in poverty, on the edge of cities, with little sense of belonging-except in moments of epiphany-to their time and in life itself" (The Observer). Such a character is Vera, the protagonist of The Book of Happiness. She is seen first in Paris where she leads a dreary life tied ...
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The Book of Happiness is one of the outstanding novels the great Russian writer Nina Berberova wrote during the years she lived in Paris, and the most autobiographical. "All Berberova's characters-including Berberova herself-live raw, unfurnished lives, in poverty, on the edge of cities, with little sense of belonging-except in moments of epiphany-to their time and in life itself" (The Observer). Such a character is Vera, the protagonist of The Book of Happiness. She is seen first in Paris where she leads a dreary life tied down by a demanding invalid husband. She is summoned to the scene of a suicide, that of her childhood's boon companion, Sam Adler, whose family left Russia in the early days of the revolution and whom Vera has not seen in many years. His death reduces Vera to a flood of tears and memories of the times before Sam's departure, and thoughts about how her life has gone since. Not a cheerful prospect. Berberova spins the story with a wonderful unsentimental poignancy. The Book of Happiness is the second book from New Directions by this fine and unique writer-one who had an overview of the entire 20th century-from pre-revolutionary St. Petersburg, through exile in Paris, to the United States where she lived for some forty years before her death in 1993.
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Very Good. Very Good condition. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain light spine creasing or a few markings such as an owner's name, short gifter's inscription or light stamp.
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Good. Good condition. Very Good dust jacket. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains.
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Very Good. Paperback A well-cared-for item that has seen limited use but remains in better than average cosmetic condition. The item is complete, and without major damage. It may have limited signs of use. Packed with care, shipped promptly.
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Fine. Trade softcover in brown, black and white illustrated wraps with photo of author to rear, 8vo. 205pp. Translated by Marian Schwartz. As new: bright, tight, sharp and unmarked. Neither ex-lib nor remainder.
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Near Fine in Near Fine jacket. Size: 5x1x8; With gift inscription on the half title page. Octavo, 8 1/4" tall, 205 pages, black and grey boards. A fine, clean, neat hard cover first edition with little shelf wear; hinges and binding tight, paper cream white. In a fine, slightly worn dust jacket, with the original price clipped.
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Good. Size: 5x1x8; Has moderate shelf wear, highlighting, underlining and/or writing. Great used condition. A portion of your purchase of this book will be donated to non-profit organizations. Over 1, 000, 000 satisfied customers since 1997! Choose expedited shipping (if available) for much faster delivery. Delivery confirmation on all US orders.
