Dr. DeMarr by Paul Theroux 1990 First Edition

📖 Dr. DeMarr by Paul Theroux (1990, Hutchinson, London) — first British edition of this psychological novella about identical twins, illustrated by Marshall Arisman. Near fine in dust jacket, original £6.99 price intact.

QUICK FACTS

• Author: Paul Theroux (b. 1941), author of The Great Railway Bazaar, The Mosquito Coast, and Paul Theroux’s Old Man and the Sea
• Publisher: Century Hutchinson, London
• Year: 1990, first impression
• Format: Hardcover in dust jacket
• Pages: [vi] + 94 + [4] | ISBN: 0-09-173612-9 / 978-0-09-173612-5
• Condition: Near fine — full report below

THE STORY

George and Gerald are identical twins whose relationship has curdled into mutual resentment. When one dies under unclear circumstances, the other seizes the opportunity to assume his brother’s identity — stepping into a life as a physician, complete with a wife and practice he never earned. Theroux turns the doppelgänger trope into something sharper: a meditation on identity, envy, and the performative nature of selfhood. The novella was described by critics as “eerie, disconcerting, and thought-provoking.”

This is part of the Hutchinson Novellas series, a collected edition of short works by prominent authors, each volume featuring commissioned illustrations.

THIS EDITION

First published in the UK by Century Hutchinson in 1990. The copyright page confirms Paul Theroux’s copyright and Marshall Arisman’s illustration copyright, both 1990. Set in Monophoto Photina by Vision Typesetting, Manchester, and printed and bound in Great Britain by Butler and Tanner Ltd., Frome, Somerset. The dust jacket carries the original UK retail price of £6.99 and is unclipped.

COVER ART & ILLUSTRATIONS

The dust jacket features a striking collage by Marshall Arisman — a shadowy portrait overlaid with fragmented, abstract faces in earthy browns, golds, and reds, with a thin red line cutting across the composition. The front displays “PAUL THEROUX” in large red caps with “DR. DE MARR” below. The back jacket carries an author photograph by Jerry Bauer alongside Arisman’s illustrator biography. Arisman’s signature appears on the back cover artwork.

Inside, the book contains several full-page black-and-white illustrations by Arisman: muscular, expressive figures rendered in heavy cross-hatching and etching — dramatic, sometimes unsettling compositions that match the novella’s psychological intensity. The illustrations are signed “M.A.” and printed on cream-colored stock throughout.

The underlying boards are red paper-wrapped front and back covers with a black cloth-wrapped spine, featuring gilt titles and Theroux’s facsimile signature stamped on both spine and front cover.

WHY IT MATTERS

• Part of the collectible Hutchinson Novellas series — each volume a standalone illustrated work by a major author
• Marshall Arisman (1930–2019) was a noted American illustrator and educator, chair of the School of Visual Arts MFA program; his expressive, dark style is well-suited to Theroux’s psychological themes
• Theroux remains one of the most widely read American novelists and travel writers; The Mosquito Coast (adapted as a 1986 Harrison Ford film and a 2021 Apple TV+ series) is his best-known fiction

FREQUENTLY ASKED

What edition is this? First British edition, first impression, published by Century Hutchinson in 1990. ISBN 0-09-173612-9.

What condition is it in? Near fine — tight binding, clean text block, crisp board corners. Dust jacket has a small bit of edge wear at the spine head and is unclipped (original £6.99 price intact).

Is it signed? The front cover bears Theroux’s facsimile (printed) signature in gilt — this is part of the standard edition design, not a hand-signed copy.

FOR COLLECTORS

A clean first British impression of a lesser-known Theroux work, with strong illustrations by a significant American artist. The Hutchinson Novellas series has a quiet following among collectors of illustrated literary editions. This copy’s near-fine condition and intact dust jacket make it a solid example.

This is a “near fine” vintage hardcover in red paper wrapped boards and black cloth wrapped spine, gilt lettering on spine, published in 1990 in the UK by Hutchinson, 94 pages with several full page black and white depictions by Marshall Arisman.

First edition. By the author of “The Mosquito Coast” which was the basis for the 1986 Harrison Ford film and the 2021 TV series of the same name.

You will receive the book shown in the accompanying images.

ITEM SPECIFICS: Binding is tight, not cracked, strong gutters and hinges, text block square, closes tightly. No loose, torn or folded pages. No writing or marks. Very crisp board corners, uniform colors throughout, not sunned. Just the slightest hint of foxing on upper text block edge.

Matching vintage dust wrapper is equally clean, a small bit of edge wear at the spine head. Not price clipped. An archival removable sleeve for the dust jacket can be added to your order at your choice.

See accompanying images for full condition details.

Will ship promptly, carefully packaged.

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