Kuznetsov (Anatoly) Babi Yar, first English uncensored edition, signed presentation inscription from the author to Tom Maschler dated "17/xi 1970" to half-title, bookplate of Tom Maschler to endpaper, map endpapers, original boards, dust-jacket, chipping, creasing and fraying to head, rubbing to foot, 1970; and a fine uncorrected proof of the same, 8vo (2)

⁂ "A book which must be read and never forgotten" - The Times.

An excellent association copy of the soviet writer Kuznetsov's most acclaimed work and one of the most important Soviet-Ukranian novels, inscribed to the author's publisher Tom Maschler, then head of Jonathan Cape.

Kuznetsov grew up Kiev district of Kurenivka in modern-day Ukraine near the large Babi Yar ravine which would become infamous as the site of a number of massacres carried out by the Nazi regime. Ultimately between 100,000 and 150,000 people were murdered at the ravine and buried there in mass graves. Kuznetsov's novel was born out of the notes he began taking while a child growing up in the area and hearing rumours of the killings. The novel was first published in Yunost magazine in 1966 and then in shortened form in 1967. It was not until Kuznetsov's defection to the UK in 1968 that he could publish he preferred, unredacted, edition in book form complete with passages that were highly-critical of the Soviet regime