Der Atem (Breath)

Mann, Heinrich. Der Atem (Breath). Amsterdam: Querido Verlag N.V., 1949. First edition. Octavo. 354pp. Original blue cloth with gilt lettering on cover and spine; protected by modern mylar. Top edge in gray. Last novel of Heinrich Mann, written between 1946 and October 1947 in his California exil. Bermann-Fischer / Querido Verlag N.V. release. It describes the last two days of Kobalt, a destitute nobelwoman, born Countess Traun of Klostergmund, Austria, who had worked with the French Communists in the past. Kobalt’s assasination is planned while she is staying in Nice. She escapes several assasination attemps only to die in a hospital from lung complications. Just days before her death she had broken the bank while gambling in Monte Carlo. Text in German. Binding with minor wear along edges. Block slightly age toned. Very good+ condition. Hardcover. (54852) $75