Menen, Aubrey

The Prevalence of Witches

New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1948. First Edition, First Printing [American]. Hardcover with Dust Jacket.

Dark green cloth with silver gilt titles; 8vo; 7.75 inches tall; 271 pages. The bindings are tight and square. Text is clean; light, even age-toning. Moderate shelf handling wear. The Mylar protected dust jacket has the price of $2.75 with wear on edges and small losses on corners. First Edition, First Printing.

Aubrey Menen’s The Prevalence of Witches, the author’s first novel is a sharp, humorous satire that delves into themes of superstition and colonialism within the fictional Indian village of Limbo.

The plot humorously follows a local man who, after killing a supposed witch to “protect” his community, faces baffling murder charges. This absurd situation sets the stage for philosophical reflection, as Menen critiques Western and colonial viewpoints through characters’ conversations and cultural misinterpretations.

The book’s satire effectively exposes the complexities and contradictions in colonial attitudes and local beliefs, with thought-provoking witty social commentary. [Adapted from Kirkus Reviews]

Item #19607

Price: $24.00