Dark Continent and Other Stories.

New York, NY The Viking Press, 1989. Hardcover First Ed; First Printing indicated. First Ed; First Printing indicated. Very Good in Very Good DJ: Both book and DJ show indications of moderate use. Book shows light wear to extremities; slight spine lean; former owner's name at front free endpaper; one of the stories is starred in the Table of Contents; the pages have tanned a bit, with age; binding remains secure; text clean. DJ shows moderate rubbing to its sheen; price intact. Overall, a clean, sturdy, reasonably presentable copy. NOT a Remainder. NOT a Book-Club Edition. NOT an Ex-Library copy. 8vo. 259pp. Hardback with DJ. The stories in Kalpakian's newest collection are traditional in that they inform as well as entertain. Most are acutely observed studies of character, with character becoming plot as entire lives unfold. Thus, in "A Christmas Cordial" we begin to understand the life of spinster Louisa Wyatt, who lives alone in a suburb of London. In the title story, an old-fashioned fable of lost honor, of integrity retained in spite of harsh circumstances, Colin French is initially contemptuous of Africa Benn, for whose illegitimate child he is searching. But as he learns more about Africa he begins to admire her passion as well as her integrity. Ultimately, Colin has been on a journey not only to find Africa's child but to discover (and recover) himself, and the story flows as seamlessly as time.