The Devils of Loudon
New York: Harper & Brothers, 1952. 1st US Edition. Octavo, publisher's navy cloth, spine gilt and stamped in red, original illustrated dust jacket.
First US edition of Aldous Huxley’s historical nonfiction book on an event of mass hysteria in a convent in 17th-century France, the inspiration for Ken Russell’s controversial horror-drama film The Devils (1971). Written in a novelistic style, The Devils of Loudun reconstructs a 1634 event in which an entire convent of Ursuline nuns in Loudun allegedly became possessed by demons at the hands of Father Urbain Grandier, a priest who was accused of using black magic to infiltrate their minds with carnal desires. Although best known for his novels, many critics consider The Devils to be his masterpiece, with the Times calling it "the peak achievement of Huxley’s career.' Russell was inspired to create his cinematic adaptation after seeing British dramatist John Whiting's 1961 stage interpretation. With two black-and-white illustrations and a bibliography. Published in the UK in the same year. Stated first edition to copyright page, with the publisher's date code "H-B" indicating a publication date of August 1952. Dust jacket designed by prolific mid-century book designer Miriam Woods. Occasional ink underlining to text. Some rubbing to spine-ends and corner; price-clipped dust jacket with a few closed tears, moderate chipping and edgewear. About very good. Item #13685
$250.00