A Raw Youth (The Adolescent)

A Raw Youth (The Adolescent) by Fyodor Dostoevsky. New York: The Limited Editions Club, [1974]. (2v.). With 18 full-page wood engravings by Fritz Eichenberg who signed the book. Translated by Constance Garnett. Introduction by Konstantin Mochulsky who is widely considered to have written the best one-volume study of Dostoevsky in any language (Dostoevsky, His Life and Works, published in Russia in 1947 and in English in 1971). Designed by Martino Mardersteig. Printed at the Stamperia Valdonega in Verona, and bound in fine-textured gray-green cloth with a silk finish, spines stamped in pure gold leaf on dark-green panels. Printed on paper that was specially made for this edition by the mill of Cartiere Enrico Magnani in Pescia, Italy. Green slipcase with cream paper title label on edge. 576pp. 28.5x20.5cm. Limited to 2000 copies, out of which this is copy number 988.

Very good plus with spines lightly faded and a little wear to the labels and a bump to the bottom corner of Volume II; else fine. In a lightly worn slipcase that has a corresponding bump to rear corner and a small abrasion to rear; else excellent.

One of Dostoevsky's most underestimated works, the Directors of the Limited Editions Club said in their letter to members dated 1974 that "A Raw Youth [has a] strong contemporary import" and  "is worthy of Stamperia Valdonega realization in these two imposing volumes" which, together with "the vital art of Fritz Eichenberg make this a notable addition to the collection of The Limited Editions Club". This is the story of young and conflicted Arkady Dolgoruky who struggles with his ideals and ambitions as he seeks wealth, power, and identity in a society rife with moral ambiguity and personal turmoil.