A. S. Byatt — The Children&Apos;S Book

London, Chatto & Windus, 2009. Paperback. A smart uncorrected proof copy of this historical novel from English novelist Antonia Susan Duffy. Uncorrected proof copy. This novel follows the adventures of several inter-related families, adults and children, from 1895 through the First World War. Loosely based upon the life of children's writer E. Nesbit, secrets are slowly revealed to show that the families are much more creatively formed than first implied. Written by Dame Antonia Susan Duffy, known professionally by her former married name A. S. Byatt, an English critic, novelist, poet and short-story writer. From the library of Carmen Callil, an Australian publisher who founded Virago Press in 1973, to "publish books which celebrated women and women's lives, and which would, by so doing, spread the message of women's liberation to the whole population". Virago publish works by new and neglected female authors, publishing the works by authors such as Daphne du Maurier, Sylvia Townsend Warner, Margaret Atwood, and Angela Carter, all with a distinctive green spine synonymous with Virago. With Callil's handwritten notes to the rear free endpaper. In the original paper binding. Externally, smart with light wear to the extremities and the corners of the boards curling slightly. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are very bright and clean throughout. Previous owner's bookplate to the front pastedown with her handwritten notes to the rear free endpaper. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: None. Very Good Indeed .