How Green Was My Valley
Richard Llewellyn
📚 Genre
Family Saga, Historical Fiction
🏢 Publisher
The Macmillan Company, New York
📅 Publication Year
1942
🔢 ISBN
None (Pre-ISBN era)
About This Book
A poignant coming-of-age story and family saga set in a South Wales mining community during the Victorian era. Narrated by Huw Morgan as an old man, it reflects on his childhood, the decline of the coal mining industry, and the impact of industrialization on the natural beauty of the valley and the social fabric of his family.
Book Details
Language
English
Pages
Approximately 490-500 pages
Edition
Reprint (Likely a wartime motion picture tie-in or standard reprint)
Series
First book in a quartet featuring Huw Morgan
Target Audience
Adult / General Audience
Collector Information
Condition
Good to Very Good. The title page is clean with minor tanning/oxidation consistent with 1940s paper stock. Edges appear slightly worn.
Estimated Value
$10-$30
Rarity
Common. This 1942 Macmillan printing was produced in high volume following the success of the film adaptation.
Historical Significance
Winner of the National Book Award for Fiction in 1940. It is considered a seminal work of Welsh industrial literature and served as the basis for John Ford's 1941 Oscar-winning film.
Collector Notes
Collectors typically prioritize the 1939 UK first edition (Michael Joseph) or the 1940 US first edition. This 1942 printing is a 'reading copy' rather than a high-value rarity. Value is heavily dependent on the presence of a dust jacket. To preserve, keep away from direct sunlight and high humidity to prevent further paper browning.
Similar Books
The Stars Look Down by A.J. Cronin, The Citadel by A.J. Cronin, Rape of the Fair Country by Alexander Cordell
Notable Features
Includes the 1942 date on the title page; this particular edition was popularized by the 1941 Academy Award-winning film adaptation.