THE LIVE GOAT
by Dawkins, Cecil
- Used
- Paperback
- first
- Condition
- A very good copy with some wear to the first few pages, small folds at bottom of some pages due to the long length
- Seller
-
Bainbridge Island, Washington, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
New York: Harper & Row, 1971. Long Galley (6 1/2 x 24 inches). Paperback. A very good copy with some wear to the first few pages, small folds at bottom of some pages due to the long length. An impressive allegory set in a spectral mid-19th century wilderness which exposes and refracts freedom, corruption and the loss of innocence. Led by Alabian Eustace, father of the dead Eily, a group of Scottish settlers from Alabama moves through 500 miles of frontier to capture and return to "justice" one Isaac, a half-wit boy accused of her murder. Isaac, who greets them with joy, is roped, beaten and tortured. Then the journey "homefree" takes on a dream dimension when, through the swamps, woods, quicksand, rivers and rain, they confront cruelty and horror, feeling the weight of evil both in the threatening land and in themselves. Patient animals die, an Indian woman is raped, a slave is flogged, a tribe of alligators advance: early-on the group passed a hill of neat and waiting graves. But for Toliver, the philosopher, freedom lies beyond acceptance of evil in a common humanity. His final understanding comes from the "free" slave Lottie -- "I was free before I became free." Starved and ragged, the group returns to hang Isaac in spite of the preacher's wild warning: "You ought to have left the live goat in the wilderness. He's your innocence." Studded with symbolism (the young boy passes a hut where women are spinning) and sustained by a lyrical intensity, this is reciprocally demanding and rewarding.
Reviews
(Log in or Create an Account first!)
Details
- Bookseller
- Ed Smith Books (US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 14690
- Title
- THE LIVE GOAT
- Author
- Dawkins, Cecil
- Format/Binding
- Paperback
- Book Condition
- Used - A very good copy with some wear to the first few pages, small folds at bottom of some pages due to the long length
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Edition
- Long Galley (6 1/2 x 24 inches)
- Publisher
- Harper & Row
- Place of Publication
- New York
- Date Published
- 1971
- Keywords
- Allegory, mid-19th century, Alabama, southern justice, alligators, evil, violence, advance copy, long galley
Terms of Sale
Ed Smith Books
30 day return guarantee, with full refund including shipping costs for up to 30 days after delivery if an item arrives misdescribed or damaged.
About the Seller
Ed Smith Books
Biblio member since 2009
Bainbridge Island, Washington
About Ed Smith Books
Ed Smith Books specializes in better condition modern literary first editions, signed books, photographic monographs, screen and theater related material and pop culture. We offer appraisals for books and photographs. We are located a short ferry ride from downtown Seattle, WA on Bainbridge Island. Since 1985 (ABAA since 1995). Two authors we specialize in are Charles Bukowski and Hunter S Thompson. Open by appointment.