London: Faber & Faber, 1959. First edition of this novel, the title of which derives from an old Jewish legend. Set in the newly established state of Israel, it follows the story of a young couple, who have gone to search for oil. Original dust wrapper. A little nicking and bumping to the top edge. Slight darkening to the edges. Green boards - these have an old damp stain to the spine and boards - also visible to the inside boards, but doesn't affect the wrapper or the rest of the book. Rest of book is clean and tidy, with just a touch of darkening / foxing to the closed page edges. This is Claude's third novel. 223 pages. 190 by 130mm (7½ by 5 inches).