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Failing Forward: Turning Mistakes into Stepping Stones for Success
GIFTS, Literature, Rare items
by John MaxwellBookclub members receive a 10% on this title:€17.10€19€17.10 Orders released Jan 5th and Jan 19th for collection the following week.€17.10 -
Sold out
Lament for the Death of a Bullsighter and other poems
GIFTS, Literature, Rare items
Federico García LorcaLondon and Toronto William Heinemann Ltd. English translation of Lament for Ignacio Sánchez Mejías 1938 Early printing "In his Lament for Ignacio Sánchez Mejías, Lorca expresses all the colour, pride and deep sorrow Spain. No other Spanish poet has drawn so heavily upon popular inspiration to such splendid ends." CONTACT US at hello@desperateliterature.com for more info or to book a visit!€70.00€70.00 -
Casualties of Peace
GIFTS, Literature, Rare items
Edna O’BRIEN
dedicated to Geraldine ChaplinJonathan Cape, London, 1966 This particular copy is signed to Geraldine Chaplin, daughter of Charlie Chaplin, who for many years lived in Madrid! We acquired a good part of her Madrid collection last year and this is one of the treats. Acquired before Edna O'Brien's passing, we removed the post-it note with her telephone number!€225.00
CONTACT US at hello@desperateliterature.com for more info or to book a visit! €225.00 -
El general en su laberinto
GIFTS, Literature, Rare items
Gabriel García Márquez
FIRMADOEdiciones del Equilibrista, México 1989 FIRMADO / SIGNED€1,000.00
CONTACT US at hello@desperateliterature.com for more info or to book a visit! €1,000.00 -
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Journal du Voleur
GIFTS, Literature, Rare items
Jean GENET
SIGNEDThe terribly hard to find first edition of Journal du Voleur, here no. 377 of 400, signed by Genet upon the request of Jean-Paul Sartre in his petition to free Genet from jail!€850.00
CONTACT US at hello@desperateliterature.com for more info or to book a visit! €850.00 -
Jeux pour acteurs et non-acteurs
GIFTS, Literature, Rare items
Augusto Boal
SIGNEDEditions La Découverte, 1978 SIGNED. Rare indeed to find a signed Boal! Here his Jeux pour acteurs et non-acteurs - Pratique du théâtre de l'opprimé suivi de l'expérience en France, including exercises, games and techniques for actors!€250.00
CONTACT US at hello@desperateliterature.com for more info or to book a visit! €250.00 -
Alejandro Zambra (SIGNED)
GIFTS, Hotcakes, Literature€20.00To help raise funds for our imminent move, this month we're selling our signed Alejandro Zambra translations. There's the added bonus of the copies also being signed by Zambra's translator, Megan McDowell!
There's a limited amount, so get them while you can!
...and of course we'll throw in some merch for good measure... ALL EDITIONS IN ENGLISH
€20.00 -
‘Eleven Stories 2023’
GIFTS, Literary Prize
.pdf + print€2.50 – €11.00Eleven Stories 2023 collects the shortlist from our sixth short fiction prize and is available in either:
PDF - €2.5 (which can be recouped against entry to the 2024 prize!) PRINT + PDF - €11 / a limited edition copy, numbered and stamped by our fine selves (OUT NOW) and the PDF to boot. **shipping is by Spanish postal service and doesn't carry tracking, which can be added for €15 on demand via email!
ABOUT THIS YEAR'S SHORTLIST:
‘There is such energy in these stories. Such pulse!’ - TIFFANY TSAO, 2023 Judge
‘I like this prize especially because it’s so international. The voices aren’t coming from a limited cultural perspective, not that there’s anything wrong with that, but there’s a breadth of wider experiences by the writers. They’re conveying something, and I think conveying something with urgency.’ - OTTESSA MOSHFEGH, 2023 Judge
ABOUT THIS YEAR'S WINNING STORY:
‘['Falling' is] a story I haven’t read before: a story of loss, focused not on grief but on how others make use of the depth and power of death [...] beautiful in its economy, not a word too long or short. Moving, and yet very quiet. Precise and relaxed.’ — OTTESSA MOSHFEGH, 2023 Judge
‘honest and sensual [...] carrying a slight but intense wickedness.’ — MARIANA ENRÍQUEZ, 2023 Judge
The stories were exquisitely written and completely delightful in their power to surprise and astonish in a remarkably few number of words. Reading these stories made me feel glad for the future of short stories and excited me for reading more. I hope other readers feel the same way - ANTON HUR
In these rich and vibrant stories, the language surprises and delights. From surreal mouse proposals to the catharsis of visible grief, via the uncertainty of memory and perception, each of these stories creates a new, engrossing reality, while shedding light on our own. - NATASHA BROWN
Here's what the magnificent Rachel Cusk and Niven Govinden have to say about our 2020 selection:
‘I thoroughly enjoyed reading these submissions, which surprised me with their honest poise, their integrity, and their understated adherence to the values of literature. In the hands of some of these writers, the story form was brought to bear on the modern scene in new and astute ways.’ – Rachel Cusk ‘I was bowled over by the power, inquiry, and humour of these stories. They shine brightly in the mind after reading.’ – Niven GovindenPLEASE NOTE: for orders over 5 copies, please contact us at hello@desperateliterature.com
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The DL BOX set
GIFTSThe perfect gift for bibliophiles, the travelling lover, the Madrid-based progeny, or just your future self.
You'll get a copy of Eleven Stories 2023, our notebook and a tote. We can either prepare in store or send for you and if you want to add a gift certificate, you can! Free shipping for all orders that include a gift certificate!
“I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.”
Jorge Luis Borges
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The Desperate Literature Notebook
GIFTS, No CategoryOur notebook is finally out Oxblood red lines with a blindstamped cover 120 pages€8.00
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Gift Certificates
GIFTS€25.00 – €100.00The perfect gift for bibliophiles near and far.
Order online and we'll prepare the gift certificate and have it ready for you or the lucky recipient on the day you specify below.*
“I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.”
Jorge Luis Borges
* please note, gift certificates are valid for one year after the specified collection date. And of course, if you'd prefer us to let the recipient know about their gift certificates so that they don't miss the good news, just select the relevant option below and include the recipients email!€25.00 – €100.00
