A House For Mr Biswas

by Naipaul, V S

V.S. Naipaul’s A House for Mr. Biswas tells the story of Mohun Biswas, an Indo-Trinidadian, who struggles as he yearns for a place he can call home following the death of his father. Homeless and loveless, he wanders from place to place, from one type of work to another, with every small success matched by a humiliation.

A House for Mr. Biswas is primarily a sharply drawn look at life that uses postcolonial perspectives to view a vanished colonial world. The novel—Naipaul's first work to achieve acclaim worldwide— is ranked 72nd on Modern Library’s “100 Best” English-language novels of the 20th century, won the Nobel Prize in Literature, and is listed in TIME’s “100 Best Novels” (since 1923).

First Edition Identification

André Deutsch first published A House for Mr. Biswas in London in 1961. First editions state “First Published 1961” on the copyright page. Signed first editions have sold for upwards of $3,500.

Other Collectible or Notable Editions

McGraw Hill published the first US edition of A House for Ms. Biswas in New York in 1961.

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Review this book!

On Aug 31, 2009, madmom said
I read this book in high school and will be reading again. This time from a mature perspective and will then give a critique

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A House for Mr Biswas
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A House for Mr Biswas

by V. S. Naipaul

Condition
Used - Very Good+
Jacket Condition
Good
Edition
1st
Published
1961
Binding
Hardcover
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London, GBR
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First Edition, First Impression, Andre Deutsch, 1961. The DJ has some loss at the top of the spine, but which has not affected the title, although it comes down to the first letter, without touching it. It is chipped at the edges, with some small areas of tape repair on the back, although the front is about 98% intact, as… Read more about this item
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€289.00
A House for Mr Biswas
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A House for Mr Biswas

by Naipaul, V.S.

Condition
Used - Fine
Jacket Condition
Near Fine
Edition
First
Published
1961
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Chelmsford, Essex, GBR
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€1,179.60

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First American edition, first impression (McGraw-Hill, 1961). Jacket design by Stephen Russ. Original dark green cloth with white lettering to spine. Just a hint of knocking and rubbing to extremities, else fine and internally pristine without names or inscriptions. The original dust jacket is clipped to bottom corner of front flap, but still bears the original '$5.95' price; a few… Read more about this item
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€1,179.60
A House for Mr Biswas (Picador Classic, 42)

A House for Mr Biswas (Picador Classic, 42)

by Naipaul, Sir V. S.

Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10
1509803505
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GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
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Paperback. Very Good.
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A House For Mr. Biswas.

A House For Mr. Biswas.

by Naipaul, V.S

Condition
Used
Published
1961
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Palm Beach, Florida, USA
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€4,477.92

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London: Andre Deutsch, 1961. For sheer abundance of talent there can hardly be a writer alive who surpasses V.S. Naipaul. Whatever we may want in a novelist is to be found in his books: an almost Conradian gift for tensing a story, a serious involvement with human issues, a supple English prose, a hard-edged wit, a personal vision of… Read more about this item
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€4,477.92
A House For Mr. Biswas.

A House For Mr. Biswas.

by Naipaul, V.S

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Used
Published
1961
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Palm Beach, Florida, USA
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€4,664.50

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London: Andre Deutsch, 1961. First edition of the author's magnum opus. Octavo, original cloth. Signed by V.S. Naipaul on the title page. Fine in a near fine dust jacket with a touch of rubbing. Jacket design by Stephen Russ. An exceptional example. For sheer abundance of talent there can hardly be a writer alive who surpasses V.S. Naipaul. Whatever… Read more about this item
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A HOUSE FOR MR. BISWAS
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A HOUSE FOR MR. BISWAS

by Naipaul, V.S.

Condition
Used
Edition
First US Edition
Published
1961
Binding
Hardcover
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Rockville, Maryland, USA
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€597.06

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New York: McGraw-Hill, 1961. First US Edition. Hardcover. Octavo, 531 pages. In Very Good condition, with Very Good dust jacket. Purple jacket spine with black lettering. Dust jacket shows light shelf wear overall and light age toning. Green cloth boards show light edge wear and toning to book. Textblock is clean. Rare in such condition. Consignment. Shelved in Case… Read more about this item
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€597.06
A House for Mr Biswas

A House for Mr Biswas

by Naipaul, V S

Condition
Used - Very Good in Very Good dust jacket
Edition
Reprint; First Printing
Published
1995
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
1857152131
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Blagoevgrad Region, BGR
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London: David Campbell Publishers Ltd.. Very Good in Very Good dust jacket. 1995. Reprint; First Printing. Hardcover. Ex-Library . Ex school library copy with usual stamps and marks inside, slight bowing to boards, unclipped DJ protected by clear library sleeve taped to inside covers. ; First printing of Everyman Millenium Library edition, 1995. Red cloth boards with… Read more about this item
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A House for Mr Biswas
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A House for Mr Biswas

by Naipaul, V.S.

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Used - Very Good
Jacket Condition
Fair
Edition
1st Edition
Published
1961
Binding
Hardcover
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Lower Hutt, Auckland, NZL
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London: Andre Deutsch, 1961. Book. Very Good. Red Cloth. 1st Edition. 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall. 531 pages, name on front endpaper, slight foxing on endpapers. The dust jacket has only partially survived. Most of the front cover is present and the front and rear flaps have been backed onto this surviving front cover. Also included are 3… Read more about this item
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€60.64
A House For Mr Biswas
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A House For Mr Biswas

by Naipaul, V S

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Used
Published
1962
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Harrogate, North Yorkshire, GBR
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€1,474.50

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London: Andre Deutsch, 1962. A first edition, first printing published by Andre Deutsch in 1961. A near fine book without inscriptions. Minimal fading to the boards edges. In a very good+ clipped wrapper with a completely unfaded spine. A small chip to the top of the spine and a little to the corners. One larger chip to the rear… Read more about this item
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€1,474.50
A HOUSE FOR MR. BISWAS  (DJ Protected by a Brand New, Clear, Acid-Free  Mylar Cover)

A HOUSE FOR MR. BISWAS (DJ Protected by a Brand New, Clear, Acid-Free Mylar Cover)

by Naipaul, V. S.

Condition
As New in As New dust jacket
Published
1995
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
0679444580
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Livonia, Michigan, USA
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Everyman's Library. As New in As New dust jacket. 1995. Hardcover. 0679444580 . ; Book is like new and has never been cracked open. Dust jacket is shelf rubbed otherwise like new. DJ protected by a brand new, clear, acid-free mylar cover. We add mylar covers to all books with DJs to preserve the DJs and add… Read more about this item
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€27.99
A House For Mr. Biswas.

A House For Mr. Biswas.

by Naipaul, V.S

Condition
Used
Published
1961
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Palm Beach, Florida, USA
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€2,565.48

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New York: McGraw Hill, 1961. For sheer abundance of talent there can hardly be a writer alive who surpasses V.S. Naipaul. Whatever we may want in a novelist is to be found in his books: an almost Conradian gift for tensing a story, a serious involvement with human issues, a supple English prose, a hard-edged wit, a personal vision… Read more about this item
Item Price
€2,565.48
A House For Mr. Biswas.

A House For Mr. Biswas.

by Naipaul, V.S

Condition
Used
Published
1961
Quantity Available
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Palm Beach, Florida, USA
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€3,918.18

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London: Andre Deutsch, 1961. First edition of the author's magnum opus. Octavo, original cloth. Signed by V.S. Naipaul on the title page. Near fine in a very good dust jacket with a small chip to the crown and foot of the spine. Jacket design by Stephen Russ. For sheer abundance of talent there can hardly be a writer alive… Read more about this item
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€3,918.18
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A House for Mr. Biswas

by Naipaul, V. S.

Condition
Used - Near Fine
Jacket Condition
Near Fine
Binding
Hardcover
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Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
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(London): Andre Deutsch; (1969). Hardcover. Near Fine/Near Fine. Stated fourth printing, the "Russell Edition," near fine in a near fine dust jacket. Non-authorial gift inscription dated in 1974 on the front endpaper. The lamination on the jacket is slightly separated in the outer gutters, front and rear, but there is no bunching or rippling to the jacket.… Read more about this item
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€55.97
A House for Mr. Biswas

A House for Mr. Biswas

by Naipaul, V. S.

Condition
Used - Fine
Edition
First Edition; Seventh Printing
Published
1992
Binding
Softcover
ISBN 10
0140186042
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Lake Elsinore, California, USA
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€16.79

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New Zealand: Penguin Books. Fine. 1992. First Edition; Seventh Printing. Softcover. 0140186042 . In FINE condition. This book can be seen as the struggle of a man not naturally rebellious, but in whom rebellion is inspired by the forces of ritual, myth and custom. It is a work of great comic power qualified with firm and unsentimental… Read more about this item
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€16.79
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A House For Mr Biswas (Picador Classic)

by S. Naipaul, V.

Condition
Used; Good
Edition
Main Market
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10
1509803505
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Milton Keynes , Buckinghamshire, GBR
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€4.11

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Picador. Main Market. Paperback. Used; Good. Simply Brit – welcome to our online used book store, where affordability meets great quality. Dive into a world of captivating reads without breaking the bank. We take pride in offering a wide selection of used books, from classics to hidden gems, ensuring there’s something for every literary palate. All orders are… Read more about this item
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A House For Mr. Biswas

A House For Mr. Biswas

by Naipaul, V.S

Condition
Used
Published
1995
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Palm Beach, Florida, USA
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€513.10

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New York: Everyman's Library/ Knopf, 1995. First edition of the Everyman's Library of the author's most well-known work. Octavo, original red cloth. Fine in a fine dust jacket. Signed by V.S. Naipaul on the title page. For sheer abundance of talent there can hardly be a writer alive who surpasses V.S. Naipaul. Whatever we may want in a novelist… Read more about this item
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A House for Mr. Biswas [First Printing] - Naipaul, V.S

A House for Mr. Biswas [First Printing] - Naipaul, V.S

by Naipaul, V.S

Condition
Used - Very Good
Jacket Condition
Very Good
Edition
First Edition
Published
1983-10-12
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
039453400X
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Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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€31.72

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Alfred A. Knopf, 1983-10-12. First Edition. hardcover. Very Good/Very Good. 9x6x1. First Knopf edition, printing. Hardcover, in jacket. Clean, unmarked, tightly bound. Light wear. Jacket very slightly sunned. Reliable customer service. Photos available. We ship daily. Expedited shipping available!
Item Price
€31.72
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A House for Mr. Biswas (Everyman's Library (Cloth))

by V.S. Naipaul

Condition
Used: Good
Published
1995-11-14
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
0679444580
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1
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HOUSTON, Texas, USA
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€11.15

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Everyman's Library, 1995-11-14. Hardcover. Used: Good.
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€11.15
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A House For Mr Biswas (Everyman's Library Classics)

by Naipaul, V S

Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10
1857152131
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1
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Waltham Abbey, Essex, GBR
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€3.83

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Everyman. Used - Good. Ships from UK in 48 hours or less (usually same day). Your purchase helps support Sri Lankan Children's Charity 'The Rainbow Centre'. Ex-library, so some stamps and wear, but in good overall condition. 100% money back guarantee. We are a world class secondhand bookstore based in Hertfordshire, United Kingdom and specialize in high quality… Read more about this item
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€3.83
A House for Mr. Biswas

A House for Mr. Biswas

by V.S. Naipaul

Condition
Used
Published
1995-11-14
ISBN 10
0679444580
Quantity Available
1
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Norwalk, Connecticut, USA
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€9.33

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Introduction by Karl Miller. One tear to front of dust jacket next to spine. Clean and unmarked. Looks unread.
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€9.33