Strange Fruit

Title: Strange Fruit

Author: Smith, Lillian

Publication: New York: Reynal & Hitchcock Publishers, 1944.

Description: First edition, seventh printing* of this bestselling debut novel by Lillian Smith. A commentary on race, gender, religion, and class in the American South with a storyline that included an interracial romance with tragic consequences, this book was highly controversial at the time of publication and was banned in Boston, Detroit, and briefly, by the U.S. Postal Service. Bound in full navy cloth, with lettering in yellow and white. 7.75 x 5.5 inches; [6], 314 pages. Mildly bumped extremities; minor losses to foot of several pages, not affecting the text. Very Good.

Lillian Smith was a white Southern author and civil rights activist. Her works contained critiques of systemic racism and white supremacy. The title page verso of "Strange Fruit" states that the title of the book is from the song written by Lewis Allan, famously sung by Billie Holiday. However, Smith contended that she had used the phrase, prior to hearing the song, when referring to people who are products of a racist culture. Smith was a closeted lesbian whose lifelong partner was Paula Snelling. Together they directed the Laurel Falls Camp for Girls. Some of her works, including "Strange Fruit," allude to lesbian relationships.

*A note on the title page verso states that this and subsequent printings were produced from a new set of plates in a smaller type size in order to conserve paper during World War Two.