1955-1969 The Doves of Venus; My Husband Cartwright; The Play Room

Description

First Edition, Original Binding, Publishers' Original Binding, Uncommon, With Dustwrapper

This set is comprised of three first editions, all in original publisher's cloth binding with original unclipped dust wrappers.

Olivia Manning was a British novels, poet and reviewer who often wrote about personal journeys. She often drew from personal experiences, having spent time living in Greece, Egypt and Palestine during the Second World War.

Manning also In 1955 The Doves of Venus was published, which drew on Manning's experiences living in London in the 1930s with friend Stevie Smith, as it follows the relationship of two women. Smith and Manning barely spoke after the publishing of this novel, as Smith wrote a unfavourable review, perhaps being irritated at the content.

Manning also wrote reviews for Punch, which is where her series of twelve sketches in My Husband Cartwright came from. This work contains a number of illustrations by British author and artist, Len Deighton.

One of Manning's later novels, The Play Room explores homosexual themes, also trying to depict the interests of the youth at the time. Like many of Manning's' other works, this novel explores personal growth and independence.