Nobel Laureate Inscribed to His Editor
Among the Believers: An Islamic Journey
Publication: New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1981. First American edition.
Notes: A very good first edition of this travelog inscribed by Naipaul to his American editor, Robert Gottlieb. This book reports on Naipaul's travels in Iran, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
As a young editor, Gottlieb acquired Joseph Heller's Catch-22 when he was at Simon and Schuster; he spent most of his career at Knopf, perhaps the most prestigious literary publisher in the US, with a five-year stint as the editor of The New Yorker (which shared ownership with Knopf). In his memoir, Avid Reader, Gottlieb wrote about Naipaul, one of several Nobel Prize winners with whom he worked:
"When I say 'worked,' I don't mean editorially, since Vidia didn't welcome editorial suggestion, and fortunately didn't need it... We maintained a polite professional relationship—occasional dinners in London or New York which I found strained. I sensed a streak of narcissism in him, and too much (barely) repressed anger. He was also a snob. But what a superb writer!"
Edition + Condition: A terrific association copy—a Nobel Prize-winning author inscribed to his editor, who was himself among the best in the business. This is a first American edition (published in October 1981; the UK edition came out in late September). A very good or better copy in a very good dust jacket with a few edge tears and a small surface scar on the front panel. The book is inscribed, "V S Naipaul—twelve years after. For Bob NYC 11-11-81." The inscription most likely refers to Naipaul switching publishers, from Macmillan to Knopf, beginning with his book The Loss of El Dorado, published in 1969.
Provenance: The private library of Robert Gottlieb (1931—2023), sold in part in 2024; supporting paperwork will be provided with the book.
Item No: #364146
Price: $850