Grand Canyon by Vita Sackville-West
SACKVILLE-WEST, V. Grand Canyon. London: Michael Joseph, 1942.
First edition. In the Author’s Note, Vita Sackville-West calls this novel 'a cautionary tale […] by no means intended as a prophecy and indeed bears no relation at all to my own views as to the outcome of the present war.’ Written during the first part of the Second World War, the story imagines that Germany has won the war in Europe, and makes a dangerous alliance with the US.
Before being accepted by Michael Joseph, Grand Canyon had been turned down by Hogarth Press, as well as Heinemann, both publishers probably worried about the political implications of even considering a German victory. With a fascinating wartime dust jacket with the rear flap promoting the BBC: ‘All over the world, and in many languages, you can listen to the truth from London. The British radio sticks to the facts – giving the latest, most authentic news as soon as it is known.’
206 pp. Very good copy in dust jacket (spine faded; small chip to top of spine; closed short tear to top of front face; scattered light spotting). Book produced according to war economy standards.