Muriel Spark — The Mandelbaum Gate

New York, Alfred A. Knopf, 1965. First edition. Cloth. A smart first US edition of this deeply rich novel from Scottish author Muriel Sparks. First US edition, published the same year as the UK first. Set in Jerusalem in 1961, whilst on a pilgrimage to Holy Land, half-Jewish Catholic-convert Barbara Vaughan is planning to meet her fiancé Harry Clegg, an archaeologist working in Qumran. To get to him she must pass through the Mandelbaum Gate into Jordanian held Jerusalem, a dangerous operation for which she enlists the help of Freddy Hamilton, a staid British diplomat. Written by Dame Muriel Spark, a Scottish novelist, short story writer, poet and essayist. In the original red cloth binding. Externally, excellent, Original unclipped dust wrapper is very smart with minor wear to the extremities and marks to the panels. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are very bright and clean throughout. Fine . Ill.: None. Fine/Very Good.