The Crocodile

Ships December 2023

Dostoevsky: The archetype of the gloomy Russian novelist.

Yet, always sure to feature moments of humour amidst the angst. Experience one of his hidden gems in The Crocodile, an absurdly comic, trenchant satire of 19th century Russian politics and Westernization, whose significance echoes across time into our own geopolitical circumstances.

Limited to 250 copies, Century Press is proud to present a striking new edition of The Crocodile like it's never been seen before.

• A brand new translation of Dostoyevsky's "Editorial Preface” that accompanied the original publication of The Crocodile in Dostoevsky’s journal, The Epoch. This preamble to the story will be published in English for the first time in our edition.
  
  
• An annotated and revised version the English Garnett translation from Dr. Sarah J. Young, a professor of Russian literature at UCL in London, as well as comprehensive introduction of her own.
  
  
• Illustrated for the first time with four pieces by UK-based illustrator Rohan Eason.

Printing and Bindery Specs

• Fully bound in vegetable-tanned, cypress goatskin leather from the Hudson Valley
  
  
• Two-colour letterpress printed on premium 100% cotton 'Flurry' paper with a 1956 Heidelberg 'Windmill' platen press, typeset in Academy
  
  
• Italian, tight-weave, cotton ribbon bookmark
  
  
• Original gold-stamped artwork on front cover, back cover, and spine by Oksana Tarasenko.
  
  
• Smyth-sewn by hand for maximum durability
  
  
• Measures 7.5" x 5.25"

July Pre-Order Bonus!

• All pre-orders received by the end of July will receive a special edition of The Crocodile with handmade endsheets from master Canadian artist Susan Kristoferson.
  
  
• Her stunning paste papers were exhibited by the Grolier Club earlier this year, and have been acquired by NYC's Metropolitan Art Museum as part of their Paper Legacy Collection.
  
  
• Don't miss out on the chance to own one of these special editions! These paste paper end sheets will appear ONLY in books that are pre-ordered in July. (Final version may vary slightly from below image).

Note: Our leather bindings are made from the honest hide of an animal. You're getting the real deal: full-grain leather, considered the best and highest quality leather available. Be aware that this type of leather can be naturally marked with features from each animal like creases, wrinkles, and insect bites. This means that no Century Press book will look exactly the same.