The Fall

Albert Camus. First edition, second printing. Dust Jacket: Very Good. An unclipped jacket with original price $3.00 on inside flap. Author photo on rear jacket by Henri Cartier-Besson. The jacket has some general wear. There is chipping on top/bottom of spine and a small, missing piece on a corner of the book. Hardcover: Very Good+ New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1957. No writing or markings in the book, 147 pp. 

The story is set in Amsterdam, consisting of a series of dramatic monologues by the self-proclaimed "judge-penitent" Jean-Baptiste Clamence, as he reflects upon his life to a stranger. In what amounts to a confession, Clamence tells of his success as a wealthy Parisian defense lawyer who was highly respected by his colleagues. His crisis, and his ultimate "fall" from grace, was meant to invoke, in secular terms, the fall of man from the Garden of Eden. The Fall explores themes of innocence, imprisonment, non-existence, and truth.

This was the authors fifth book. The book was translated from French by Justin O'Brien. Original publication date in France was in 1956. The American edition publication date was February 18, 1957 while the second printing took place on that same month. The original title, published in French, was La Chute.