A House For Mr Biswas
by Naipaul, V S
V.S. Naipaul’s A House for Mr. Biswas tells the story of Mohun Biswas, an Indo-Trinidadian, who struggles as he yearns for a place he can call home following the death of his father. Homeless and loveless, he wanders from place to place, from one type of work to another, with every small success matched by a humiliation.
A House for Mr. Biswas is primarily a sharply drawn look at life that uses postcolonial perspectives to view a vanished colonial world. The novel—Naipaul's first work to achieve acclaim worldwide— is ranked 72nd on Modern Library’s “100 Best” English-language novels of the 20th century, won the Nobel Prize in Literature, and is listed in TIME’s “100 Best Novels” (since 1923).
First Edition Identification and Notes
André Deutsch first published A House for Mr. Biswas in London in 1961. First editions state “First Published 1961” on the copyright page. Signed first editions have sold for upwards of $3,500.
Other Collectible or Notable Editions
McGraw Hill published the first US edition of A House for Ms. Biswas in New York in 1961.
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On Aug 31, 2009,
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I read this book in high school and will be reading again. This time from a mature perspective and will then give a critique
Available copies
A House For Mr. Biswas.
by Naipaul, V.S
- Seller
- Raptis Rare Books
- Published
- 1961
- Item Price
-
$5,000.00
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London: Andre Deutsch, 1961. First edition of the author's magnum opus. Octavo, original cloth. Signed by V.S. Naipaul on the title page. Fine in a near fine dust jacket with a touch of rubbing. Jacket design by Stephen Russ. An exceptional example. For sheer abundance of talent there can hardly be a writer alive who surpasses V.S. Naipaul. Whatever… Read more
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$5,000.00
A House For Mr. Biswas.
by Naipaul, V.S
- Seller
- Raptis Rare Books
- Published
- 1961
- Item Price
-
$4,800.00
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London: Andre Deutsch, 1961. For sheer abundance of talent there can hardly be a writer alive who surpasses V.S. Naipaul. Whatever we may want in a novelist is to be found in his books: an almost Conradian gift for tensing a story, a serious involvement with human issues, a supple English prose, a hard-edged wit, a personal vision of… Read more
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$4,800.00
A House For Mr. Biswas.
by Naipaul, V.S
- Seller
- Raptis Rare Books
- Published
- 1961
- Item Price
-
$4,200.00
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London: Andre Deutsch, 1961. First edition of the author's magnum opus. Octavo, original cloth. Signed by V.S. Naipaul on the title page. Near fine in a very good dust jacket with a small chip to the crown and foot of the spine. Jacket design by Stephen Russ. For sheer abundance of talent there can hardly be a writer alive… Read more
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$4,200.00
A House for Mr Biswas.
by NAIPAUL, V. S.
- Seller
- Peter Harrington
- Published
- 1961
- Item Price
-
$2,831.63
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London: Andre Deutsch, 1961. A fine copy First edition, first impression, review copy, of Naipaul's first work to achieve worldwide acclaim. This copy is in exceptionally fresh condition, and includes a review slip noting "Immediate" publication and a price of $4.95, printed on the publisher's stationery but giving the address of their Canadian representative. Presumably this is a… Read more
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$2,831.63
A House For Mr. Biswas.
by Naipaul, V.S
- Seller
- Raptis Rare Books
- Published
- 1961
- Item Price
-
$2,750.00
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New York: McGraw Hill, 1961. For sheer abundance of talent there can hardly be a writer alive who surpasses V.S. Naipaul. Whatever we may want in a novelist is to be found in his books: an almost Conradian gift for tensing a story, a serious involvement with human issues, a supple English prose, a hard-edged wit, a personal vision… Read more
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$2,750.00
A House For Mr Biswas
by Naipaul, V S
- Seller
- John Atkinson Books
- Published
- 1962
- Item Price
-
$1,573.13
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London: Andre Deutsch, 1962. A first edition, first printing published by Andre Deutsch in 1961. A near fine book without inscriptions. Minimal fading to the boards edges. In a very good+ clipped wrapper with a completely unfaded spine. A small chip to the top of the spine and a little to the corners. One larger chip to the rear… Read more
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$1,573.13
HOUSE FOR MR BISWAS
by Naipaul V. S
- Seller
- Buddenbrooks, Inc.
- Published
- 1961
- Item Price
-
$1,375.00
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London: Andre Deutsch, 1961. First Edition. 8vo, publisher's original red cloth, lettered on the spine in gilt, in the original dustjacket. 531 pp. A fine copy, the book is tight and clean and the binding bright, the dustjacket with a bit of wear to the head of the spine panel. … Read more
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$1,375.00
A House for Mr Biswas
by Naipaul, V.S.
- Seller
- Fine Book Cellar Limited ABA ILAB PBFA
- Published
- 1961
- Condition
- Fine
- Edition
- First
- Item Price
-
$1,258.50
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First American edition, first impression (McGraw-Hill, 1961). Jacket design by Stephen Russ.
Original dark green cloth with white lettering to spine. Just a hint of knocking and rubbing to extremities, else fine and internally pristine without names or inscriptions. The original dust jacket is clipped to bottom corner of front flap, but still bears the original '$5.95' price; a few… Read more
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$1,258.50
A House for Mr. Biswas
by Naipaul, V.S.
- Seller
- Carpetbagger Books, IOBA
- Published
- 1961
- Condition
- Near Fine
- Edition
- First Edition
- Item Price
-
$810.00
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Description:
London: Andre Deutsch, 1961. First Edition. Hardcover. Near Fine/Very Good. Near Fine in a Very Good jacket, unclipped (21s net), a few chips at the corners and edges, a closed tear and accompanying creases at the bottom of the front panel. Red boards, faded at the head and foot of the spine, with gilt lettering on the spine.… Read more
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$810.00
A HOUSE FOR MR BISWAS.
by NAIPAUL, V.S.
- Seller
- MINSTER GATE BOOKSHOP
- Item Price
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$692.18
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London: Andre Deutsch, 1961. . First Edition, 8vo., pp.531, hardback, gilt; contents very good with foxing to the extremities in a very good, unclipped dust-jacket with very light toning and rubbing to the extremities, now in protective wrapping, overall a very good copy.
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$692.18
A HOUSE FOR MR. BISWAS
by Naipaul, V.S.
- Seller
- Second Story Books, ABAA
- Published
- 1961
- Edition
- First US Edition
- Item Price
-
$640.00
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Description:
New York: McGraw-Hill, 1961. First US Edition. Octavo; VG/VG; Purple jacket spine with black lettering; Green cloth boards; Minor wear only to jacket; Edge wear and toning to book, otherwise in excellent shape; No marking to text; Rare in such condition; 531 pages. SHELVED Case 2. Driggers Consign. 1252855. Shelved Dupont Bookstore.
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$640.00
A House For Mr. Biswas
by Naipaul, V.S
- Seller
- Raptis Rare Books
- Published
- 1995
- Item Price
-
$550.00
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New York: Everyman's Library/ Knopf, 1995. First edition of the Everyman's Library of the author's most well-known work. Octavo, original red cloth. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Signed by V.S. Naipaul on the title page. For sheer abundance of talent there can hardly be a writer alive who surpasses V.S. Naipaul. Whatever we may want in a novelist… Read more
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$550.00
A House for Mr Biswas
by V.S. Naipaul
- Seller
- Montreal Books
- Published
- 1961
- Condition
- Very Good
- Item Price
-
$400.00
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Description:
Andre Deutsch, McGraw Hill, 1961. Book. Very Good. Hardcover. For 2 First editions. First United Kingdom and first United States editions of this classic. The UK is in very good condition indeed, with like jacket. The US is ex-library in good condition - dust jacket is taped at extremities, and with the usual library infelicities. .
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$400.00
A House for Mr. Biswas
by V.S. Naipaul
- Seller
- MDS Books
- Published
- 1961
- Condition
- Fine
- Edition
- 1st Edition 1st Printing
- Item Price
-
$350.00
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Description:
New York: McGraw Hill, 1961. 1st Edition 1st Printing. Hardcover. Fine. First USA Edition/First Printing. Hardcover. Fine book in a very good priced dust jacket. Book is clean with a touch of rubbing to the spine ends. The jacket has wear and tears to the top edges, including a 1" tear and piece missing from the top… Read more
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$350.00
A House for Mr Biswas
by V. S. Naipaul
- Seller
- The Book and Record Bar
- Published
- 1961
- Condition
- Very Good+
- Edition
- 1st
- Item Price
-
$308.33
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Description:
First Edition, First Impression, Andre Deutsch, 1961. The DJ has some loss at the top of the spine, but which has not affected the title, although it comes down to the first letter, without touching it. It is chipped at the edges, with some small areas of tape repair on the back, although the front is about 98% intact, as… Read more
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$308.33
A HOUSE FOR MR BISWAS
by Naipaul, V. S.
- Seller
- J. Wyatt Books
- Published
- 1973
- Condition
- Very Good
- Item Price
-
$230.00
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Description:
London: Andre Deutsch, 1973. The Russell Edition. Fifth impression. 531 pp. White endpapers, with ffep signed by the author with a stamp just above saying" Signed for a member of the New Fiction Society." Navy cloth with gilt titles. Corners bumped, head and tail of spine lightly worn. Red and purple DJ, not price-clipped.… Read more
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$230.00
A HOUSE FOR MR. BISWAS
by Naipaul, V.S.
- Seller
- Globalbookscare
- Published
- 1983-10-12
- Condition
- Good
- ISBN
- 9780394534008
- Item Price
-
$215.41
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Knopf, 1983-10-12. Hardcover. Good.
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$215.41
A House for Mr Biswas
by Naipaul, V.S.
- Seller
- Tinakori Books
- Published
- 1961
- Condition
- Very Good
- Edition
- 1st Edition
- Item Price
-
$180.00
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Description:
London: Andre Deutsch, 1961. Book. Very Good. Red Cloth. 1st Edition. 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall. 531 pages, name on front endpaper, slight foxing on endpapers. The dust jacket has only partially survived. Most of the front cover is present and the front and rear flaps have been backed onto this surviving front cover. Also included are 3… Read more
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$180.00
A House for Mr Biswas
by V.S. Naipaul
- Seller
- Red-books )
- Published
- 1961
- Condition
- Acceptable
- Edition
- First Edition
- Item Price
-
$161.23
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Description:
Andre Deutsch, 1961. First Edition. Hardcover. Acceptable. Dust Wrapper in poor condition with areas of loss to top and bottom of spine and both front corners, there is considerable rubbing and wear and soiling, it is price clipped. Wrapper is now in a clear removable protective sleeve.. Previous owners name to top edge of free front end paper,… Read more
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$161.23
A House for Mr Biswas
by Naipaul, V.S.
- Seller
- JWMah
- Published
- 1961
- Condition
- Acceptable
- Edition
- 1st
- Item Price
-
$79.95
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Description:
London: Andre Deutsch, 1961. (UK) First publication 1961. Owner's inscription to end paper, no other markings, spine panel faded with several water stains, book is tight and square, pages, clean hinges solid, about Good only used copy; lacking the dust jacket. Hardcover, 531pp. A House for Mr Biswas is significant as Naipaul's first work to achieve acclaim worldwide.… Read more
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$79.95
A House For Mr. Biswas
by V.S. Naipaul
- Seller
- Ergodebooks
- Published
- 1984-10-12
- Condition
- Used:Good
- Edition
- 1st Vintage Books ed
- ISBN
- 9780394720500
- Item Price
-
$68.54
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Vintage, 1984-10-12. 1st Vintage Books ed. Paperback. Used:Good.
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$68.54
A House for Mr. Biswas
by Naipaul, V. S.
- Seller
- Tulsa Books
- Condition
- Near Fine
- Item Price
-
$67.50
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(London): Andre Deutsch; (1969). Hardcover. Near Fine/Near Fine. Stated fourth printing, the "Russell Edition," near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Non-authorial gift inscription dated in 1974 on the front endpaper. The lamination on the jacket is slightly separated in the outer gutters, front and rear, but there is no bunching or rippling to the jacket.… Read more
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$67.50
A HOUSE FOR MR. BISWAS
by Naipaul, V.S
- Seller
- GridFreed LLC
- Published
- 1983-10-12
- Condition
- New
- ISBN
- 9780394534008
- Item Price
-
$64.56
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Knopf, 1983-10-12. Hardcover. New. New.
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$64.56
A HOUSE FOR MR. BISWAS
by V. S. Naipaul
- Seller
- Ergodebooks
- Published
- 1983-10-12
- Condition
- Used:Good
- Edition
- 1st Alfred A. Knopf ed
- ISBN
- 9780394534008
- Item Price
-
$62.22
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Knopf, 1983-10-12. 1st Alfred A. Knopf ed. Hardcover. Used:Good.
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$62.22
A House For Mr. Biswas
by Naipaul, V.S
- Seller
- GridFreed LLC
- Published
- 1984-10-12
- Condition
- New
- ISBN
- 9780394720500
- Item Price
-
$57.06
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Vintage, 1984-10-12. Paperback. New. New.
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$57.06
A House for Mr. Biswas
by Naipaul, V. S
- Seller
- GridFreed LLC
- Published
- 2001-03-13
- Condition
- New
- ISBN
- 9780375707162
- Item Price
-
$57.04
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Vintage, 2001-03-13. Paperback. New. New.
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$57.04
A House For Mr Biswas
by V S Naipaul
- Seller
- Washburn Books
- Published
- 1978
- Condition
- Good
- Edition
- 6th Impression
- Item Price
-
$56.63
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Description:
London: Andre Deutsch, 1978 Book. Good. Dark Blue Cloth Boards. 6th Impression. 12mo - over 6¾ - 7¾" tall. The Russell Edition. Novel set in Trinidad. 531pp. Gilt lettering to spine. Slight lean to spine and some light foxing to edges, otherwise good copy with no inscriptions. Unclipped DJ faded to spine, with some surface marking and edgewear, including 3/8"… Read more
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$56.63
A House for Mr. Biswas
by Naipaul, V. S.
- Seller
- Bonita
- Condition
- Good
- ISBN
- 9780140030259
- Item Price
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$51.34
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Paperback. Good. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
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$51.34
A House for Mr Biswas (Twentieth-Century Classics)
by Naipaul, V. S.
- Seller
- Bonita
- Condition
- Good
- ISBN
- 9780140186048
- Item Price
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$50.92
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Paperback. Good. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
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$50.92
A House For Mr. Biswas
by Naipaul, V.S.
- Seller
- Bonita
- Condition
- Good
- ISBN
- 9780394720500
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$48.79
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Paperback. Good. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
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$48.79
House for MR Biswas
by V S NAIPAUL
- Seller
- Bonita
- Condition
- Good
- ISBN
- 9780330522892
- Item Price
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$48.10
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Paperback. Good. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
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$48.10
A HOUSE FOR MR. BISWAS
by Naipaul, V.S.
- Seller
- Bonita
- Condition
- Good
- ISBN
- 9780394534008
- Item Price
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$46.72
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Hardcover. Good. Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
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A House for Mr. Biswas: Introduction by Karl Miller (Everyman's Library Contemporary Classics Series)
by Naipaul, V. S.
- Seller
- Bonita
- Condition
- New
- ISBN
- 9780679444589
- Item Price
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$43.13
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Hardcover. New. Brand New.
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$43.13
The Forging of Fantom
by Underhill, Charles
- Seller
- Samwise Books
- ISBN
- 9780091362607
- Item Price
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$40.00
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Hutchinson of London, 1979. Hardcover. 8vo, First Edition. Book Condition: Very Good. Owners details endpaper. Boards and interior very clean. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good..
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$40.00
A House for Mr. Biswas
by NAIPAUL, V.S.
- Seller
- Between the Covers- Rare Books, Inc. ABAA
- Published
- 1983
- Condition
- Fine
- Item Price
-
$35.00
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New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1983. Softcover. Fine. Uncorrected Proof. First edition thus with new introduction by the author. Fine in wrappers.
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$35.00
A House for Mr. Biswas
by Naipaul, V. S.
- Seller
- Bonita
- Condition
- New
- ISBN
- 9780375707162
- Item Price
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$30.09
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Paperback. New. Brand New.
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A House for Mr. Biswas.
by NAIPAUL, V. S.
- Seller
- Grendel Books, ABAA/ILAB
- Published
- 1983
- Condition
- Very Good in Very Good dust jacket
- ISBN
- 9780394534008
- Item Price
-
$30.00
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NY:: Knopf,. Very Good in Very Good dust jacket. 1983. Hardcover. 039453400X . With a new foreword by the author. Book club edition. Very good in a very good (uneven age darkening) dust jacket. .
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$30.00
A House for Mr. Biswas
by Naipaul, V. S.
- Seller
- Globalbookscare
- Published
- 2001-03-13
- Condition
- Good
- ISBN
- 9780375707162
- Item Price
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$28.46
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Vintage, 2001-03-13. Paperback. Good.
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A House for Mr. Biswas
by V. S. Naipaul
- Seller
- The Saint Bookstore
- Condition
- New
- ISBN
- 9780679444589
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$27.03
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Hardback. New.
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A House for Mr. Biswas (Everyman's Library (Cloth)) (Everyman's Library Classics & Contemporary Classics)
by V.S. Naipaul
- Seller
- Ergodebooks
- Published
- 1995-11-14
- Condition
- Used:Good
- ISBN
- 9780679444589
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$26.31
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Everyman's Library, 1995-11-14. Hardcover. Used:Good.
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A House for Mr. Biswas (Everyman's Library Contemporary Classics Series)
by Naipaul, V. S
- Seller
- Russell Books Ltd
- Condition
- New
- ISBN
- 9780679444589
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$26.25
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Everyman's Library. New. Special order direct from the distributor
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A House for Mr. Biswas: Introduction by Karl Miller (Everyman's Library Contemporary Classics Series)
by Naipaul, V. S.
- Seller
- BookCorner COM LLC
- Condition
- New
- ISBN
- 9780679444589
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$24.35
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New. .
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A House for Mr. Biswas: Introduction by Karl Miller (Everyman's Library Contemporary Classics Series)
by Naipaul, V. S.
- Seller
- Phillybooks COM LLC
- Condition
- New
- ISBN
- 9780679444589
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$24.35
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New. .
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A House for Mr. Biswas: Introduction by Karl Miller (Everyman's Library Contemporary Classics Series)
by Naipaul, V. S.
- Seller
- BookCorner COM LLC
- Condition
- UsedLikeNew
- ISBN
- 9780679444589
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$24.10
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UsedLikeNew. Remainder mark
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A House for Mr. Biswas: Introduction by Karl Miller (Everyman's Library Contemporary Classics Series)
by Naipaul, V. S.
- Seller
- Phillybooks COM LLC
- Condition
- UsedLikeNew
- ISBN
- 9780679444589
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$24.10
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UsedLikeNew. Remainder mark
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A HOUSE FOR MR. BISWAS (DJ Protected by a Brand New, Clear, Acid-Free Mylar Cover)
by Naipaul, V. S.
- Seller
- Sage Rare & Collectible Books, IOBA
- Published
- 1995
- Condition
- As New in As New dust jacket
- ISBN
- 9780679444589
- Item Price
-
$24.00
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Everyman's Library. As New in As New dust jacket. 1995. Hardcover. 0679444580 . Book is like new and has never been cracked open. Dust jacket is shelf rubbed otherwise like new. DJ protected by a brand new, clear, acid-free mylar cover. We add mylar covers to all books with DJs to preserve the DJs and add luster… Read more
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A House for Mr. Biswas: Introduction by Karl Miller (Everyman's Library Contemporary Classics Series)
by Naipaul, V. S.
- Seller
- Phillybooks COM LLC
- Condition
- UsedVeryGood
- ISBN
- 9780679444589
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$23.86
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UsedVeryGood. Minor shelf wear
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A House for Mr. Biswas: Introduction by Karl Miller (Everyman's Library Contemporary Classics Series)
by Naipaul, V. S.
- Seller
- BookCorner COM LLC
- Condition
- UsedVeryGood
- ISBN
- 9780679444589
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$23.86
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UsedVeryGood. signs of little wear on the cover.
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A House for Mr Biswas
by Naipaul, V S
- Seller
- Books in Bulgaria
- Published
- 1995
- Condition
- Very Good in Very Good dust jacket
- Edition
- Reprint; First Printing
- ISBN
- 9781857152135
- Item Price
-
$22.67
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London: David Campbell Publishers Ltd.. Very Good in Very Good dust jacket. 1995. Reprint; First Printing. Hardcover. Ex-Library . Ex school library copy with usual stamps and marks inside, slight bowing to boards, unclipped DJ protected by clear library sleeve taped to inside covers. ; First printing of Everyman Millenium Library edition, 1995. Red cloth boards with… Read more
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A House for Mr. Biswas (Everyman's Library (Cloth))
by V. S. Naipaul
- Seller
- Eighth Day Books
- Published
- November 1995
- Condition
- New
- ISBN
- 9780679444589
- Item Price
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$22.00
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Everyman's Library, November 1995. Hardcover. New.
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$22.00