The Ballroom of Romance and Other Stories

London: The Bodley Head, 1972. First Edition. Hardcover. Fine/Fine. First Impression of the Irish author's second collection, including "A Choice of Butchers" and "O Fat White Woman." 8vo: 269,[1]pp. Publisher's olive-brown boards, spine lettered in gilt, price-clipped illustrated dust jacket. An excellent example (apparently unread) in a virtually pristine jacket. William Trevor was one of the most acclaimed writers in English of the twentieth century, above all in the short story form (he published eleven volumes). "The Ballroom of Romance" shows Trevor's art "at its most characteristic and best. It concerns Bridie, a woman in rural Ireland, a feature of whose monotonous life is the regular dances at the ballroom, places that were once a familiar part of the country. The night in question will be the last, as Bridie realises in a moment of epiphany that the man she has been waiting for can never be hers. . . . Resignation is seen through the eyes of someone ordinary and left behind by life, rendered in simple yet elegant language; the story also contains comic cameos, and conversations in realistic language. These qualities are hallmarks of Trevor's art." (Literary Encycyclopedia) N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition, with dust jackets carefully preserved in archival, removable polypropylene sleeves. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).