The Flowers of May. London: Heinemann, 1953. First Edition. Red cloth boards, title in gilt to spine. Heavy browning to margins of centre pages of text, otherwise a good copy.

Inscribed by the Author in the year of publication.

A poignant and introspective novel that explores themes of memory, loss, and the passage of time. Set primarily in Ireland, the story follows Frances, a middle-aged woman who returns to her childhood home after many years abroad.

Kate O’Brien left her home in Limerick to work for the Manchester Guardian, beginning her long career as an Irish literary expatriate. She went on to published a further eight novels. Other notable works include The Land of Spices (1941), That Lady (1946), and The Ante-Room (1934), among others.

Signed copies of her early works are rare in commerce.