Prayers From The Ark by Carmen Bernos de Gasztold

Prayers From The Ark by Carmen Bernos de Gasztold lands on the |> SALE <| shelves in my shop.

Macmillan & Co., 1964, Hardback in dust wrapper.

2nd printing. [First Published: 1963] Illustrated by way of: Black & White Drawings;

From the cover: "Prayers from the Ark, by Carmen Bernos de Gasztold, are translated from the French by Rumer Godden, who has caught and re-created the spirit of the original text.

In the first poem, Noah speaks — 'The days are long. Lord, guide Your Ark to safety…' A prayer from each animal in the Ark follows, each one beautifully illustrated by Jean Primrose. Every animal keeps its own character ; prayer springs from its hopes, its pride in its work, or its humility, according to its kind : the Cock — 'Do not forget, Lord, it is I who make the sun rise'; the Donkey — 'O God, who made me to trudge along the road always'; the faithful Dog — 'Lord, do not let me die until, for them, all danger is driven away'; the Mouse — 'I am so little and grey, dear God'. The Foal, falling over its own feet in its joy, dreams of wind and young grass, the Cat of a mouse — 'It is not, exactly, that I have something to ask of You!'; the Butterfly speaks with its butterfly brain; the Ox with a plea for time.

The directness, appeal and humour of the lines will delight readers of every age. Their charm has nothing to do with whimsy: Carmen de Gasztold is not a sentimental animal lover — ironically; she has little use for pets. In her world a dog is to guard the house, a horse to work, a pig to be fattened and there is an economy and sense about her work that is typically French; it is the truthfulness of the prayers, especially as it reflects on us, unthinking humans, that causes pain, and there is a timeless echo in the Dove's words — 'The Ark waits, Lord, the Ark waits on Your will. And the sign of Your peace'…"

Introduction by: Rumer Godden

Very Good — in Good Dust Wrapper. Unlaminated dust wrapper a little edgeworn and faded with tears to the head of the spine, price clipped and tanning to the reverse. Text complete, clean and tight.

Green Spine strip with Pictorial boards with Gilt titling to the Spine. 71 pages. 9¼" x 6¼".

This book will be eventually reach my delightful website...(added to my Just Added category.) but get 60% off buying from this very blog blog... Buy it now for just £2.60 + P&P! Of course, if you don't like this one there are plenty more available here!