The Last September; The Death of the Heart

In one hardcover volume—the two most popular novels by one of the greatest twentieth-century novelists, whose psychologically rich stories of lost innocence combine sharp humor with a devastating gift for exposing hidden motivations

The Last September is a portrait of a young woman’s coming-of-age in a brutalized time and place, where the ordinariness of life is shadowed by the impending doom of history. In 1920, at their country home in County Cork, young Lois’s guardian, Sir Richard Naylor, and his family and friends stubbornly carry on with their tennis parties and dances, all while knowing that British rule in Ireland—and with it, their privileged way of life—is about to end.

The Death of the Heart, perhaps Bowen’s masterpiece, is a devastating story of adolescent love and the betrayal of innocence. When orphaned sixteen-year-old Portia Quayne arrives in London and falls for Eddie, an attractive and carefree cad, their entanglement threatens to shatter the carefully built illusions of everyone in their politely treacherous social world.

Everyman's Library pursues the highest production standards, printing on acid-free cream-colored paper, with full-cloth cases with two-color foil stamping, decorative endpapers, silk ribbon markers, European-style half-round spines, and a full-color illustrated jacket. Contemporary Classics include an introduction, a select bibliography, and a chronology of the author's life and times.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs