The Rotten Elements

London: Heinemann, 1969 . First edition. Cloth. Near Fine/Very Good Indeed. 8" by 5.5". None. A well presented first edition of Edward Upward's second novel in 'The Spiral Ascent' trilogy, in the original, unclipped dust wrapper. First edition, in the publisher's original black cloth binding, with the original, unclipped dust wrapper. Written by British novelist and short-story writer, Edward Upward, who was known for his surrealist writing, shifting towards Marxist realism after joining the Communist Party of Great Britain in the 1930s. Upward suffered a difficult time in the 1950's, resulting in a creative block. This was lifted when he started working on a semi-autobiographical trilogy entitled 'The Spiral Ascent', of which 'The Rotten Elements' is the second installment. 'The Spiral Ascent' presents the struggle of a fictional poet, Alan Sebrill as he tried to balance his creative work with involvement in the Communist Party. 'The Rotten Elements' depicts Sebrill's clash with the groups management and his decision to leave the party. In the publisher's original black cloth binding, with the original, unclipped dust wrapper. Externally, lovely, with minor shelf wear only. Dust wrapper is smart, with light edge wear and the odd small tear. Sunning to the spine of the wrap and the occasional mark. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright and clean. Near Fine