Peter Viertel — White Hunter Black Heart

London, W. H. Allen , 1954. First edition. Cloth. A well-presented first edition of this exciting novel set in London and Africa. This is a first UK edition of the work in original unclipped dust wrapper. The novel was first published in New York the previous year. Peter Viertel was an author and a screenwriter, who was responsible for many films during the 20th Century. These include The Sun Also Rises, Five Miles to Midnight, as well as this novel, White Hunter Black Heart.This novel was inspired by the author's experiences filming The African Queen with director John Huston. Released in 1952, this film starred Katherine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart. Viertel's film adaptation of White Hunter, Black Heart was released in 1990, starring Clint Eastwood. The work was extremely well-received, with film critic Pauline Kael describing it as "the best Hollywood novel i've ever come across and it isn't even set in Hollywood".This work follows the adventures of John Wilson, an arrogant film director who sets off to a big film production in Africa. Wilson soon becomes preoccupied with his desire to kill big game and begins to completely ignore the unwritten rules of the land as he becomes consumed by his obsession. With an ink inscription of S Cooper to the front endpaper. In original publisher's black binding with the unclipped dust wrapper. Externally excellent, with minor shelf wear and the odd mark. Offsetting to endpapers with an ink inscription to front endpaper. Dust wrapper in good condition, with light chipping and the odd small tear. Sunning to the wrap, mainly to the spine, with the odd mark. Tape to the reverse of the wrap. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright and clean. Near Fine . Ill.: None. Near Fine/Very Good.