Charles O'Malley - The Irish Dragoon.
By Charles Lever
With Illustrations
Published by George Routledge And Sons: London c1875 (undated - preface dated 1872)
Complete 2 Volume Set
- Original Publishers Cloth Bindings - Includes 8 Plates + 2 Frontis.
"Charles O'Malley - The Irish Dragoon is a spirited blend of military adventure, Irish humour and romance, following the fortunes of a young Irish gentleman as he moves from the exuberant society of his homeland into the dangers of a cavalry officer's life during the Napoleonic Wars. Charles's adventures carry him through youthful escapades, romantic entanglements and encounters with an unforgettable assortment of soldiers, relatives and companions, before placing him amid the campaigns of Wellington's army. Alternating lively social scenes with the excitement and hardship of warfare, Charles Lever creates a sweeping narrative in which personal ambition, courage, friendship and love accompany the hero's progress towards maturity.
Much of the novel's enduring appeal lies in Lever's gift for anecdote, comic dialogue and colourful characterisation, particularly in the exploits of Charles's resourceful servant, Mickey Free. Boisterous hospitality, sporting adventures, practical jokes and extravagant storytelling provide a humorous counterpoint to cavalry action and the uncertainties of campaigning. Beneath its high spirits, the story also explores loyalty, honour and the experience of a young man discovering the responsibilities behind his dreams of military glory. One of Lever's best-known works, it captures the energy of nineteenth-century adventure fiction while combining an affectionate portrayal of Irish life with the drama and spectacle of the Napoleonic era.
Published in London by George Routledge and Sons, this undated edition is offered as a complete two-volume set, circa 1875, with the author's preface dated Trieste, 1872. Both volumes retain their original publishers' green cloth bindings, featuring blind-stamped borders, gilt spine lettering and a gilt facsimile of Lever's signature on the front boards. The set includes eight plates plus two frontispieces, whose lively scenes complement the novel's combination of humour and military adventure. The photographed volumes show rubbing and marking to the cloth, wear to the extremities and age toning to the paper, with booksellers' labels and pencil notations visible on an endpaper. A characterful Victorian illustrated set with appeal for collectors of Charles Lever, Irish literature and historical adventure fiction."
General wear and fading to covers and spine as pictured with flecking to covers. All 10 plates are present. Binding quality is reasonable however the endpapers in volume 2 do sit loose. Pages are clean and well presented. A quality 2 volume set in good condition overall. Please study photos to further understand condition.
