SKU: 33059342223

"Under A Lilac-Bleeding Star Travels And Travelers" 1964 BLANCH, Lesley

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"Under A Lilac-Bleeding Star Travels And Travelers" 1964 BLANCH, LesleyBLANCH, Lesley [208] pp. Antheneum 1964 8 1 2" x 5 5 8" Ex libris: John Michael Hayes (11 May 1919 19 November 2008) was an American screenwriter, who scripted four of Alfred Hitchcock's films in the 1950s. Jacket design: Jeanyee Wong VG VG "Under this unusual title, Lesley Blanch, a compulsive traveler and therefore, according to the Balkan saying, "born under a lilac bleeding star," writes of life in Bulgaria at the end of the 1940s, and of her

BLANCH, Lesley

[208] pp.

Antheneum

1964

8 1/2" x 5 5/8"

Ex-libris: John Michael Hayes (11 May 1919 – 19 November 2008) was an American screenwriter, who scripted four of Alfred Hitchcock's films in the 1950s.

Jacket design: Jeanyee Wong

VG/ VG

"Under this unusual title, Lesley Blanch, a compulsive traveler and therefore, according to the Balkan saying, "born under a lilac-bleeding star," writes of life in Bulgaria at the end of the 1940s, and of her travels from Uzbekistan to Guatemala by way of North Africa and Siberia. Alongside her own vivid recollections of life on the move, she weaves in the journeys of Pierre Loti; the last Ruritanian Queen, Marie of Romania, in her Balkan setting; Vernon Lee, and Laurence Hope. Her artist's eye for detail and her vitality bring to life people and places. She is there and takes the reader with her. "

Lesley Blanch was a cult literary figure who influenced and inspired generations of writers, readers and critics. Her lifelong passion was for Russia, the Balkans and the Middle East. At heart a nomad, she spent the greater part of her life travelling about those remote areas her books record so vividly.

Born in London in 1904, Blanch’s first career was as a book illustrator and caricaturist, and scenic and costume designer for the theatre, before turning to writing. While her reputation now rests primarily on three works of non-fiction − 'The Wilder Shores of Love', 'Journey into the Mind’s Eye' and 'The Sabres of Paradise' − her early journalism brings to life the artistic melting pot that was London between the wars, and her books, something of the Middle East as it once was, before conflict and turmoil became the essence of relations between the Arab World and the West.

She left England in 1946, never to return, except as a visitor. Her marriage to Romain Gary, the French novelist and diplomat, afforded her many years of happy wanderings. After their divorce, in 1963, Blanch was seldom at her Paris home longer than to repack.

Blanch was well ahead of her time and prescient in the way she attempted to bridge West and East – especially the West and Islam – a topic that is highly relevant today. She was modern and free, with tremendous wit and style; and a traveller who took risks and relished writing about her adventures. Her life reads like a novel and sets her apart as being a true original. She died in Menton in the South of France, age 103.

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SKU: 33059342223

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LindyB
Alexandria, US
★★★★★ 5
Great dressy sneaker to wear with business casual or jeans
Size: 11, Color: British Tan/Ivry
I got these for my husband to wear with jeans or business casual dress pants. They look sharp and professional and dress up jeans if you're going out. He says they fit comfortably and he can walk on them all day without his feet hurting. They are beautiful genuine leather so they don't get stinky. I got my husband's normal size and they fit to size.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2026
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timothy scalabrelli
Houston, US
★★★★★ 4
Comfortable
Size: 9, Color: Black/Ivory
Most comfortable and roomy shoes I ever wore. Great for insoles. Looks nice too. The base of the shoe is a bit too thick but it’s fine.
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BBZ
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 5
Very nice, but sizing is inconsistent
Size: 10 Wide, Color: Ivory/White/British Tan
All of these Cole Haan shoes are extremely well made and I like the styling. On the other hand, the sizing is very inconsistent and you may end up having to do a lot of returns trying to find the right size. Then if you get a different color of it, you may find the sizing different yet again. If you find your right zie, they are really nice shoes at a very reasonable price for the quality.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2026
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Lofidelityrockr
Grantham, US
★★★★★ 5
I love this brand. These shoes look and fit great!
Size: 13 Wide, Color: Black/White/Black
I love wearing Cole Haan shoes. This is the second pair I’ve owned and the style just gets me. I’ve worn these to work at a great professional job every day, not just casual Friday. I wear these when I head out shopping or to dinner. They are functional, comfortable, built for regular and bigger wider feet and comfortable. I am 6 feet tall and my feet have changed size over the years to me needing a wider shoe to relieve pressure on my toes and front wide porting of my foot. So the 13W feels great and still walks the same as a regular 14 but more comfort for me. They look amazing and qualify in some offices as dress shoes (depending on company rules they will justify a sneaker as a shoe with the tan colored “gum” sole as a sneaker) so check company policy. The black sole on this makes it look more dressy. I am switching out the laces to match my previous Cole Haan because I think the white shoelaces look better. As an adult, aside from my Kenneth Cole boots Reaction boots and Doc Marten’s these are the only shoes I will pay 3 digits for. This looks like skater shoes but with a more mature look.
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BWolfeJR
Houston, US
★★★★★ 5
I am certainly glad I found them and finally ordered
Size: 10, Color: Ivory/White/British Tan
A bit bulkier than my Stan Smiths Leather versions, but actually more comfortable. They seem to be a bit "clunkier" looking than a streamline Stan Smith, but it's a matter of style. It works for a change of pace. Gets or picks up dirt a bit, but cleans well, except the canvas part. Has lasted almost 6-8 months with very little signs of wear. Feels very secure in any type of weather or condition. Great alternative or addition to having a pair of Stan Smiths.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2026

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