LA CIUDAD Y LOS PERROS (THE TIME OF THE HERO) by Vargas Llosa, Mario - 1963

Barcelona: Editorial Seix Barral, 1963. First Edition. First Printing. Octavo; publisher's cream self-wrappers, printed in black and red; 10 pp. insert on pale orange paper regarding the judging and presentation of El Premio Biblioteca Breve, [1] fold-out map, 343pp, [6]. Spine lightly sunned, foxing to upper edge of text, with a few chips to yapped edges, and a 1.75 inch closed tear along upper rear hinge; still Very Good+ withal, and clean throughout. The photo-illustrated dustjacket measures 3/8 inch taller than the book, resulting in some tears and associated creasing, and two shallow chips to upper and lower left corners at spine ends; some light, scattered soil and wear along edges to note otherwise - a presentable, Very Good+ example. The Nobel Prize-winner's first novel, based very loosely on events in the author's teenage years. The story is set in a boys' military academy in Lima, Peru, similar to an academy Vargas Llosa attended. Due to the incendiary portrayal of certain authoritarian figures, as well as frank portrayals of homosexuality and an act of bestiality, the novel was banned in Peru, and copies of the book were burned in protest at the academy that served as the model for the fictional setting. Basis for a 1985 film adaptation directed by Francisco Lombardi, and quite scarce in any sort of presentable dustjacket.