The Light That Failed
by Kipling, Rudyard
So we settled it all when the storm was done As comf'y as comf'y could be; And I was to wait in the barn, my dears, Because I was only three; And Teddy would run to the rainbow's foot, Because he was five and a man; And that's how it all began, my dears, And that's how it all began. - Big Barn Stories.
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On Nov 24, 2011, feeney said
In 1889 the 23-year old Rudyard settled in London after seven intensely active years as a very young journalist in British India. Before he was 25, verses and stories originally published in India such as the short story "Baa Baa, Black Sheep" had been re-issued to acclaim in England and America. And fresh materials poured out, notably 1891's THE LIGHT THAT FAILED. Kipling dashed off that hugely autobiographical novel off within a three-month publisher's deadline. It drew heavily on his first and just then ending romance with painter Florence Garrard which had begun when both were teenagers. Florence became the model for aspiring painter Maisie in THE LIGHT THAT FAILED, as was also Kipling's beloved sister Trix, drawn on for Maisie when very young. *** Hero of THE LIGHT THAT FAILED is Dick Heldar, talented, rising but more than a little cynical London artist and onetime companion in Africa of famed war correspondent Gilbert Belling Torpenow. During the 1885 Sudan campaign to relieve besieged General Charles Gordon in Khartoum, Dick and Torpenow defended themselves together during a battle when Dick received a blow to the head. Within a few years that fateful saber cut made Dick blind, just after completing his greatest painting, "Melancholia." Without now blind Dick's noticing, but just after it had been admired by a stunned Torpenow, that great painting was destroyed by Heldar's vengeful, low-class scheming young model Bessie Broke. Bessie had made a romantic play for Torpenow, which Dick had put an end to. *** THE LIGHT THAT FAILED is about art and what makes it good or bad. It was written during the heyday of Oscar Wilde and Wilde's view that life follows art. Kipling is of the opposite view. Not for Kipling, Torpenow or Dick Heldar is there appeal in the effete artistic dandies of London salons who would rather talk about art than paint. Torpenow and other war correspondents write of and Dick at his best paints with honesty he-men soldiers of the Queen dying and doing and suffering unspeakable things in foreign wars. *** Dick loves Maisie with growing passion, which she never reciprocates, thanks to the baleful influence of her roommate, "the red-headed woman." In the end forever blind Dick returns privately, unponsored and uninvited to a later war in Sudan only, after adventures, to be shot from his saddle about to descent from a camel and die at the front in Torpenow's arms. *** Critics marvel that THE LIGHT THAT FAILED has never once been out of print, despite its being, in their view, of the third among perhaps five ranks in Kipling's voluminous writings. The novel has been twice transformed into a feature film, most recently in 1939 starring Ronald Colman as Dick Heldar. The book has staying power, even today being studied in university courses in feminism where Kipling's explorations of inter-sex and intra-sex personal relations come to the fore. -OOO-
Available Copies
The Light That Failed
by KIPLING, Rudyard
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Published
- 1900
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
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Gloucester City, New Jersey, USA
- Item Price
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A$54.39
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New York: A.L. Burt, 1900. Hardcover. Very Good. Reprint. 339pp. 6pp. of advertisements. Original red cloth, gilt-stamped spine title. Hinges cracked, cloth soiled, spine ends and corners rubbed and bumped, about very good being R.L. Rusk's copy with his name and his daughter's name penned on the front endpapers, lacking the scarce dustwrapper. Rusk taught English at the… Read more about this item Item Price
A$54.39
The Light That Failed
by Kipling, Rudyard
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Jacket Condition
- No Jacket
- Edition
- Reprint
- Published
- 1918
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
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Te Awamutu, Waikato, NZL
- Item Price
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A$27.97
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London: Macmillan and Co., Limited, 1918. Pocket Edition. Red full-leather with gilt on spine and front cover (elephant and swastika). Top edge gilt. 289pp. Leather has moderate surface wear. Gilt slightly dulled. P/o name stamped on Ffep with original price in pencil. Binding firm. . Reprint. Hard Cover. Good/No Jacket. 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. Item Price
A$27.97
The Light That Failed.
by Kipling, Rudyard
- Condition
- Used
- Published
- 1891
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
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Palm Beach, Florida, USA
- Item Price
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A$3,108.20
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London: Macmillan and Co, 1891. First edition of Kipling's first novel. Octavo, original cloth with gilt titles to the spine, publisher's gilt emblem to the front panel. In very good condition. Written when Rudyard Kipling was 26 years old, The Light That Failed is semi-autobiographical; being based upon his own unrequited love for Florence Garrard. Most of the novel… Read more about this item Item Price
A$3,108.20
The Light That Failed
by Kipling, Rudyard
- Condition
- Used - Collectible - Near Fine
- Edition
- 1st Edition Thus
- Published
- 1914
- Binding
- Hardcover_cloth
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
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Argillite, Kentucky, USA
- Item Price
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A$1,243.28
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NY: Doubleday, Page & Company for Review of Reviews, 1914. 1st Edition Thus. Hardcover_cloth. Collectible - Near Fine. 5.5"x7.5". 339 pgs. Authorized Edition. Red cloth boards. Blindstamped on front w/hindu swastika symbol in circle w/cursive author's name. Doubleday colophon blindstamped on spine. Raised ribs that are flattened on spine w/gilt letters. Date on title page. Spine straight, binding… Read more about this item Item Price
A$1,243.28
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The Light That Failed
by Kipling, Rudyard
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Jacket Condition
- No Jacket
- Edition
- 1st Edition
- Published
- 1891
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
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London, GBR
- Item Price
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A$538.97
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London: Ward, Lock, Bowden & Co., 1891. 1st Edition . Hardcover. Very Good/No Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall. True first English edition (Ward, Lock & Bowden); 12 chapters with happy ending. Lippincott's Monthly Magazine. Undated [1891] Deep green/black cloth (mock leather) with gilt title/author to spine; Full page portrait of Kipling as frontispiece. Other contributors… Read more about this item Item Price
A$538.97
The Light That Failed (Centenary Edition)
by Kipling, Rudyard
- Condition
- Used - Very Good Condition
- Jacket Condition
- Good
- Edition
- Reprint
- Published
- 1981
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN 10
- 0333328035
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
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melbourne, Victoria, AUS
- Item Price
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A$15.02
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Macmillan, London, 1981. Reprint. Hardcover. Very Good Condition/Good. Red coloured cloth covered boards with gilt embossed decoration to the front panel and gilt coloured titles to the back strip. Red coloured tint to the top text edge. Illustrated dustwrapper with gilt and white coloured titles to the front panel and back… Read more about this item Item Price
A$15.02
The Light That Failed (The World's Popular Classics Art-Type Edition)
by Kipling, Rudyard
- Condition
- Used -
- Edition
- Book Club Edition
- Published
- No Date circa 1940s
- Binding
- Hardback
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
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Clarence Gardens, South Australia, AUS
- Item Price
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A$20.00
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New York: Books, Inc.. No Date circa 1940s. Octavo Size [approx 15.5 x 22.8cm]. Very Good condition. Robust, professional packaging and tracking provided for all parcels. 254 pages. . Book Club Edition. Hardback. Item Price
A$20.00
The Light That Failed
by KIPLING, Rudyard
- Condition
- Used - Fine
- Published
- 1890
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Gloucester City, New Jersey, USA
- Item Price
-
A$543.94
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New York: United States Book Company, 1890. Hardcover. Fine. First American edition, boards issue. Red beveled cloth gilt. Attractive early bookplate, a touch rubbing on the boards, else fine. Item Price
A$543.94
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The Light that Failed.
by KIPLING, Rudyard.
- Condition
- Used
- Published
- 1890 [1891]
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
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London, GBR
- Item Price
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A$2,939.85
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Description:
New York: United States Book Company, successors to John W. Lovell Company,, 1890 [1891]. Rare in this near-fine condition First US edition, first printing, of the first trade book edition of Kipling's novel. This semi-autobiographical work deals with the theme of unrequited love; the elusive character Maisie is based on the Slade artist Flo Garrard, who Kipling was unsuccessful… Read more about this item Item Price
A$2,939.85
The Light That Failed
by Kipling, Rudyard
- Condition
- Used -
- Edition
- Centenary Edition
- Published
- 1981
- Binding
- Hardback
- ISBN 10
- 0333328035
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
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Clarence Gardens, South Australia, AUS
- Item Price
-
A$20.00
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Description:
London: Macmillan. 1981. Octavo Size [approx 15.5 x 22.8cm]. Near Fine copy in Very Good dustjacket. Dustjacket is now protected in a purpose-made plastic sleeve. A nice copy. Only flaw to book is neat black text line to front free endpaper. DJ spine faded. 292pages. Originally published in 1891. One of Kipling's most discussed book as the… Read more about this item Item Price
A$20.00
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The Light That Failed
by Kipling, Rudyard
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Jacket Condition
- No Dust Jacket
- Published
- 1914
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
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Maplewood, Missouri, USA
- Item Price
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A$27.97
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Doubleday, Page & Co., 1914. Very good hardcover with no dust jacket, 1914. Stamp on flyleaf, light surface wear to exterior.. Hard Cover. Very Good/No Dust Jacket. Item Price
A$27.97
THE LIGHT THAT FAILED
by Rudyard Kipling
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Edition
- Authorised Edition
- Published
- 1899
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Blue Hill, Maine, USA
- Item Price
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A$23.31
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New York: Doubleday and McClure Co., 1899. Authorised Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. 5 x 7 1/2 in. Green cloth boards with blindstamped RK on cover, gilt spine titles. Condition is VERY GOOD ; corners and spine ends bumped and a bit worn, covers rubbed with some minor spots. Fiction. Stax. Item Price
A$23.31
The Light That Failed
by Kipling, Rudyard
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Jacket Condition
- No Jacket
- Published
- 1930
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Woodlawn, Illinois, USA
- Item Price
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A$9.31
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New York,, Ny, U.S.A.: Standard Book Company, 1930. Hardcover. Good/No Jacket. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Signature (Not The Author's) On The Ffep. Punjab Edition. Faint Damp Stain Line On Reverse. Scuffed Spot On Back Board. Minor Shelfwear.
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A$9.31
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THE LIGHT THAT FAILED - Compliment of the HOTEL TAFT New York
by Kipling, rudyard
- Condition
- Used-Good+/NO DUSTJACKET
- Edition
- .......
- Published
- 1917
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
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Owego, New York, USA
- Item Price
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A$31.08
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New York, NY: "TARRY AT THE TAFT". Used-Good+/NO DUSTJACKET. 1917. ........ Hardcover. Bookplate on inside of cover. . 12mo., 241 pp., Light handling wear and cover corners bumped. Inside clean and unmarked. . Item Price
A$31.08
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The Light That Failed
by Rudyard Kipling
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Edition
- Reprint
- Published
- 1923
- Quantity Available
- 1
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Tarrington, Herefordshire, GBR
- Item Price
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A$25.48
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London: Macmillan and Co. Limited, 1923. Reprint . Very Good. 4.5 x 6.75 inches (11 x 17 cm). Macmillan's Pocket Kipling edition. Limp full red calf leather binding with gilt motif to front cover and gilt decoration to spine. Top page edge gilt, silk page marker. Slight wear to head of spine. Very light foxing to endpapers, very… Read more about this item Item Price
A$25.48
The Light That Failed
by Kipling, Rudyard
- Condition
- Used - Good+ with no dust jacket
- Edition
- First Thus
- Published
- 1899
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Dunedin, New Zealand, NZL
- Item Price
-
A$29.53
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London: Macmillan and Co.. Good+ with no dust jacket. 1899. First Thus. Hardcover. "Uniform Edition". [viii], 289, [1 (blank) ], [2 (advertisements) ]. Red cloth board with gilt titles on spine. Top page edges gilt. Small circular elephant head and swastika design in centre of front board. Moderate rubbing to edges of spine and boards. Owner's signature.… Read more about this item Item Price
A$29.53
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The Light That Failed
by Rudyard Kipling
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Published
- 1898
- Quantity Available
- 1
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-
Canby, Oregon, USA
- Item Price
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A$85.48
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The Light That Failed by Rudyard Kipling, in very good condition. Item Price
A$85.48
The Light that Failed
by Rudyard Kipling
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Published
- 1917
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Leigh-On-Sea, Essex, GBR
- Item Price
-
A$15.68
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Description:
London: Macmillan & Co., 1917. Hardcover. Good. Pleasant red leather pocket edition of Kipling's first, semi-autobiographical novel of unrequited love. All edges gilt. Previous owner's name to ffep. Rubbing to edges. Creasing to cover and spine. Contents clean and tight. Good.
Item Price
A$15.68
THE LIGHT THAT FAILED
by Rudyard Kipling
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Dayton, Ohio, USA
- Item Price
-
A$31.08
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New York: Books, Inc. Hardcover. Very Good. 254p. Undated; circa 1950. A cloth hardcover book in very good condition with a red decorated spine meant to simulate the look of a leather binding. Text on title plate starting to wear off. Edges and corners a bit worn. Text clean and binding tight. Art- Type edition; from the World's… Read more about this item Item Price
A$31.08
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THE LIGHT THAT FAILED.
by Kipling, Rudyard.
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Jacket Condition
- No Jacket
- Edition
- Reprint.
- Published
- 1897
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Oakville, Ontario, CAN
- Item Price
-
A$54.39
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Description:
London: Macmillan, 1897. 339 pp, 7 11/16" H. Leather spine and corners, marbled paper-covered boards. Five raised bands, two maroon leather labels, gilt lettering, banding on spine. Top edge gilt, integral ribbon bookmark. Marbled endpapers. Dick Heldar experiences an unhappy childhood but finds success as an artist for London newspaper during the Sudan campaign. When he returns to England,… Read more about this item Item Price
A$54.39