Iolani; Or, Tahiti As it Was by Collins, Wilkie; Nadel, Ira B. , Introduced by - 1999

Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. New in New dust jacket. 1999. First Edition. Hardcover. Written 150 years ago, never published and assumed lost for nearly a century, Wilkie Collin's earliest novel now appears in print for the first time. Iolani is a sensational romance - a tale of terror and suspense, bravery and betrayal, set against the lush backdrop of Tahiti. The book's complicated history is worthy of a writer famous for intricate plots hinging on long-kept secrets. Collins wrote the book as a young man in the early 1840s, twenty years before The Moonstone and The Woman in White. Unable to find a publisher for the work, he shelved the manuscript for years, and eventually gave it to an acquaintance. It gained mythical status as a lost novel - from the turn of the century until its sudden appearance on the rare book market in 1991. This first edition appears with the permission of the new owners, who keep the mystery alive by remaining anonymous. Explanatory notes and an introduction included. Binding is cloth with a decorated spine. ; 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall .