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Go Tell It On The Mountain

Go Tell It On The Mountain Paperback - 1963

by Baldwin, James


About this book

Written over a span of ten years, Go Tell It on the Mountain is James Baldwin’s first completed novel. The story follows John Grimes, a bright teen living in Harlem in the 1930s, as he explores relationships with his family and his church. On a basic level, Go Tell It on the Mountain is a coming of age story, yet the novel gains complexity as the omniscient narrator interweaves John’s story with the stories of his mother, father, and aunt.

In addition to the Grimes family, a main focus of the text is the function of the Christian Church in the lives of African-Americans, which Baldwin argues to be a source of moral hypocrisy and repression. And with a title like Go Tell It on the Mountain, it is no surprise that the novel contains has many biblical references throughout.

The novel is generally accepted as semi-autobiographical. Like the protagonist, Baldwin grew up in Harlem. Neither had a relationship with their biological fathers and both resented their religious fanatic stepfathers. Also like John, Baldwin underwent a religious awakening as a young adult.

Go Tell It on the Mountain is ranked 39th on Modern Library’s “100 Best” English-language novels of the 20th century and is also listed on TIME’s “100 Best Novels” (since 1923). In 1984, ABC produced a made-for-television movie based on the novel.

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First Edition Identification

Knopf first published Go Tell it on the Mountain in New York in 1953. Bound in red cloth, the first edition states “First Edition” on the copyright page with no additional printings listed. Its dust jacket states the original price of $3.50. First editions of Go Tell it on the Mountain have sold for $8,000-10,000. 

Details

  • Title Go Tell It On The Mountain
  • Author Baldwin, James
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition Reprint
  • Publisher Signet Book, United Kingdom
  • Date 1963-02
  • ISBN 9780552115650
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Go Tell It On The Mountain [Import] [Paperback]

by Baldwin, James

  • Used
  • Paperback
  • first
Condition
Like New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780552115650
ISBN 10
0552115657
Quantity Available
1
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ISLIP TERRACE, New York, United States
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Item Price
NZ$40.54
NZ$10.14 shipping to USA

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Description:
This is the softcover stated Signet Edition from June 1963. Other than a hint of cover creasing, both the cover and the book are in excellent condition. There are no rips, tears, markings, etc.--and the pages and binding are tight (see photo). **Note: All books listed as FIRST EDITIONS are stated by the publisher in words or number lines--or--only stated editions that include only the publisher and publication date.Like New
Item Price
NZ$40.54
NZ$10.14 shipping to USA