Paradise Falls
Don Robertson
📚 Genre
Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction - American Epic
🏢 Publisher
G. P. Putnam's Sons, New York
📅 Publication Year
1968
🔢 ISBN
Not visible on title page; primarily published before modern ISBN standard (orig. 1968)
About This Book
A massive, sprawling epic set in the post-Civil War era (late 19th century) in the fictional town of Paradise Falls, Ohio. The novel explores themes of industrialization, the corrupting influence of power and wealth, and the decline of traditional American values through the eyes of various townspeople. It is noted for its immense length and detailed character studies.
Book Details
Language
English
Pages
Approximately 500-600 pages for Volume One (total work is over 1,200 pages)
Edition
First Edition, Volume One (of a two-volume set in its original printing)
Series
Volume One of two
Target Audience
Adult General Audience
Collector Information
Condition
Good to Very Good. The internal pages appear clean with some very slight yellowing consistent with age (toning). The binding appears tight based on the page lay.
Estimated Value
$20 - $50 (Note: Value is significantly higher if Volume Two is present with original dust jackets; individual volumes are less collectible than complete sets).
Rarity
Uncommon. While not 'rare' in the antiquarian sense, complete first editions in good condition are becoming harder to find due to the fragile nature of the thick spines and acidic paper typical of the late 60s.
Historical Significance
Don Robertson was an influential Ohio novelist praised as a 'writer's writer.' While not as widely known today, Paradise Falls is considered a masterpiece of the 'Great American Novel' tradition. It was famously championed by Stephen King, who helped create a resurgence of interest in Robertson's work in the 1990s.
Collector Notes
Collectors should seek the matching Volume Two and the original dust jackets. The jackets for this set are prone to chipping and fading. Since Stephen King popularized this author, look for copies from the 1990s reissue by Forge if seeking a reading copy, but this 1968 Putnam edition is the preferred version for bibliophiles. Keep in a climate-controlled environment to prevent further yellowing of the paper stock.
Similar Books
Raintree County by Ross Lockridge Jr., East of Eden by John Steinbeck, The Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All by Allan Gurganus, Andersonville by MacKinlay Kantor
Notable Features
Includes the classic G.P. Putnam's Sons 'Founded 1838' colophon/logo on the title page. This specific volume was frequently released as part of a slipcased set.