The Mystery of B. Traven
William Kaufman, 1977. Item #81690
Inscribed and signed by the author. First Edition. Very Good book in a Good dust jacket.
This work explores the enigmatic life and identity of B. Traven, the mysterious author best known for the novel The Treasure of the Sierra Madre. Despite his fame, Traven’s true identity was long shrouded in secrecy, and he went to great lengths to conceal his background—prompting decades of speculation and investigation.
Key Themes:
• Literary Mystery: The book delves into what has been called “the greatest literary mystery of the 20th century.”
• Biographical Investigation: Judy Stone, a respected journalist and film critic, compiles interviews, documents, and historical context in an attempt to uncover the truth behind the man who used various pseudonyms and avoided public attention.
• Political Context: Traven’s works often focus on social injustice, labor rights, and revolution, and Stone examines how his political ideals may have influenced his desire for anonymity.
Notable Elements:
• Interviews with people who claimed to know Traven or who were connected to his publishing and film careers.
• A detailed examination of Traven’s major literary works and the political and social context in which they were written.
• Analysis of competing theories about Traven’s identity, including the idea that he was a German anarchist named Ret Marut.
Reception:
This book is appreciated for being one of the most thorough and journalistically rigorous accounts of B. Traven’s life, offering a compelling blend of detective work, biography, and literary criticism.
Price: $45.00