The Goose Cathedral

London: The Bodley Head, 1950. First edition. Cloth. Fine/Very Good Indeed. 7.5" by 5". None. A smart first edition of this semi autobiographical novel from author and naturalist Jocelyn Brooke. The first edition of this work, in the publisher's original price unclipped dust wrapper.This is an unusual volume, sometimes termed a work of biographical non-fiction, from Jocelyn Brooke. It marks the third work in Brooks' 'Orchid Trilogy', a series of semi-autobiographical works blending his childhood idyll with the shadow of his time in the Second World War.A single page advertisement for Brooks' further works appears to the rear of the volume.A previous owner of this work was Norman Arthur Routledge, a British mathematician and Schoolteacher. His bookplate appears to the front pastedown, alongside an inscription to the front free endpaper: 'N. A. Routledge, Edinburgh, August 1955'. Routledge was a close friend of fellow mathematician Alan Turing, and they exchanged frequent correspondences. Turing wrote letters to Routledge towards the end of his life, and following his arrest included cryptic passages in these correspondences. In retirement, towards the end of his own life, Routledge was able to be openly gay without fear of repercussions from the state. In the publisher's original cloth binding, with price unclipped dust wrapper. Externally smart and bright, with only minor shelf wear to tail of spine. Contemporary owner's bookplate to front pastedown, with inscription to front free endpaper. Some marks to rear panel of dust wrapper, with slight sunning to spine. Minor chipping to spine panel head and tail. Small closed tear to head of front panel. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright and clean. Fine