The book I finished reading yesterday once, according to the bookplate it bears, graced the shelves of Geoffrey P. Shakerley. Was this Colonel Sir Geoffrey Peter Shakerley (1906–1982), Chairman of Gloucestershire County Council (1956–1967) ? I wonder. And was he the first owner?
Here is the gold-embossed front board of another beautiful volume in the Bodley Head collection of the works of this author and illustrator.
I rarely read a book twice, but the tell-tale train ticket slipped inside suggests that I first read this one in June 1996, and was not deterred from enjoying it again. First published in 1890, this is the first illustrated edition of 1926.
Undoubtedly rich in satire from M. France, this is nevertheless a treatise on the trials and tribulations on the road to spiritual redemption. St Thais of Egypt, a libertine said to have lived in the 4th century A.D. and converted to early Christianity by a monk wracked with thoughts of lust for her. The writer, within this story, weaves struggles with conscience and much philosophical debate. His effortless prose has been well translated by Robert B. Douglas.
As usual, Papé’s superb draftsmanship is represented by endpapers;
by twelve full page plates;
by introductory section headings;
and by end pieces, from each of which I offer a selection.
Jules Massanet’s eponymous opera was based on Anatole France’s book.
Here is the final scene including the Renée Fleming duet with Thomas Hampson (10.29 minutes)
This evening we dined on Hordle Chinese Take Away’s excellent fare.
Wonderful illustrations, Derrick. After 23 years, did you get more out of the writings than the first time?
Yes, I did, Sylvia. Many thanks
The illustrations are truly wonderful as the other commenter put it. A racy story too. It must have been scandalous in 1890 and even moreso in 1926 with the illustrations.
Quite likely, Crystal. Thanks very much
The illustrations are wonderful and elaborate. Thanks for the opera clip, too.
Thanks very much, Merril. Glad you liked it
This is awesome
Thanks very much, Cinnamon
You’re welcome
I have a Thomas Hardy volume with ‘ex libris Michael Moorcock’, bought in Fulham. Must have belonged to the Hawkwind collaborator. I sometimes play with the idea of sending it to him. He’d probably be annoyed after dumping it out once already.
On a sadder note, one of my wife’s interests is archeology (stay with me here). One of the groups she belongs to is run by a professional archeologist who is a published author in his field.
Apparently he has found that once he’s sold all the first print run, rather than doing an expensive second run, any new demand can be met through him buying his own books on eBay, Amazon etc. and selling them on.
A little while back a friend of my wife and him passed away. A month or so later he saw a copy of one of his books on eBay, bought it and upon opening it saw his own handwritten dedication to that friend on the front page. Really shook him. Chris
Thanks very much, Chris. Books sometimes tell much more than we expect
I do love looking at those prints and really appreciate that you share them with us. Listened to the finale at the same time too – wonderful music! I was once an opera buff but have never seen Thais.
Thanks very much, Pauline. That was a good idea to listen to the music while looking at the illustrations
On my goodness, Renee Fleming reaches me every time…thank you for this beautiful offering today. And the illustrations are quite stylized and interesting…certainly reflect a time and viewpoint. Clearly, he lost n a sense and she won..in my view 🙂 But what a story!
Very many thanks, Cynthia. I thought you might like the music
Beautiful music! Just what I needed to hear after a long day. I love those illustrations…thanks for sharing Derrick. I hope you’re weekend includes some Rugby viewing. 🙂
Thanks very much, Jill. The Six Nations has finished 🙂
I love when you share your books and the illustrations, Derrick! Wonderful! Thank you! 🙂
I love theater/plays and opera! When I was a little girl…8 years old…I found an airing of the opera Amahl and the Night Visitors that had been filmed on stage and put on television. It was the first opera I ever saw in any way and I was hooked! 🙂
HUGS and hope you and Jackie are feeling spunky today!!!
Very many thanks, Carolyn. We are improving X
Good! 🙂
Massenet’s ‘Meditation’ is a musical masterpiece! Thanks so much for sharing it with us. 🙂
I love the cartoons Papé puts at the foot of some of his work.
May you both continue recovering in robust health. 🙂
Many thanks, Bob
I never knew that the opera was based on this book, but from the first note played, I recognized it. Lovely, isn’t it?!!
It is, indeed, GP. Many thanks
What a spectacular book and opera. Terrific post today. Thank you so much Derrick.
Very many thanks, Sherry
You have some beautiful books, Derrick. I was taken by the title of Part III – The euphorbia. It is really about the plant?
I have to say I don’t fully understand the titles – apparently plants – the first is Lotus. Thanks very much, Susan
What a cool book, Derrick. I love the illustrations. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks very much, Diana
I so enjoy your beautifully illustrated book reviews! Papé’s drawings are lovely and I thoroughly enjoyed the excerpt from Massenet’s opera. Thank you, Derrick!
Very many thanks, Clare
Fascinating illustrations. I guess the book could be worth a lot of money to a collector.
I imagine so. Condition not perfect, but I paid £10 about 40 years ago. Thanks very much, Helen
A nice book to have, anyway 😊.
Yes. I never sell, but often give away
thanks for the opera music – going to come back and finish listening – and the book must be good to have you at it again – 🙂
It is a good one – to handle as well. Thanks very much, Yvette
And with so many ebooks these days – or cheap soft covers (which I live) it was nice to see the good and could feel the texture of the cover
The illustrations are fascinating. I have never read books like this. Maybe I will soon. Regards
Thanks very much, Lakshmi
Thank you for sharing this treasure, Derrick, and for this beautiful duet.
I’m pleased you liked them, Inese. Thanks very much
You do have books with the most amazing illustrations. Thank you for sharing.
I am pleased you like them. LL/PS. Thank you very much
So interesting that you rarely read a book twice. I read some of my favorites every year! (I also watch the same movies over and over, so no surprise.) A psychologist could tell you something about me – not sure what. : I
…and about me 🙂 Thanks very much, Jodie
Indeed – we are both open books – we just need a psychologist to tell us what our books say.
…..and to think people actually believed this stuff and nonsense!
….and still do today. Thanks a lot, Brian
I trust that you are not one of them Derrick
Nope
Nope???
You’ve got too many of our Yankee cousins leading you astray dear boy!
🙂 Actually, I’ve never heard one of them use it, innit?
Innit strange; I get it all the time from some of mine
It’s so very beautiful. Thank you Derrick