The Mountain is Young – Han Suyin

Title: The Mountain is Young

Author: Han Suyin

Publisher: Jonathan Cape

Edition & Year: First Edition, 1958

Pages: 578 pages

Format & Size: Hardcover, 5 in x 8.5 in

Han Suyin (1917–2012), the renowned Eurasian writer, physician, and chronicler of modern Asia, became internationally celebrated for her deeply human and culturally rich novels. Among her works, The Mountain is Young stands out as one of her most memorable achievements.

First published in 1958 by Jonathan Cape, this first edition hardcover measures 5 in x 8.5 in and spans 578 pages, offering a sweeping narrative set in Kathmandu, Nepal, at the time of King Mahendra’s coronation in 1956. The novel follows Anne Ford, a woman trapped in an unfulfilling marriage, who journeys to Nepal and finds both personal liberation and passionate love in the shadow of the Himalayas.

More than a romance, The Mountain is Young is a novel of self-discovery, cultural encounter, and historical change. Han Suyin vividly depicts the landscapes, traditions, and political atmosphere of Nepal while exploring universal themes of identity, freedom, love, and transformation. Her prose blends lyrical beauty with keen social observation, making this book an enduring classic of mid-20th-century literature.

This 1958 Jonathan Cape first edition is especially sought after by collectors for its historical and literary significance. A must-have for admirers of Han Suyin, Asian literature, women’s voices in fiction, and postcolonial narratives, it represents both a personal journey and a broader meditation on East-West cultural encounters.

• First edition published in 1958 by Jonathan Cape

• Hardcover format, 5 in x 8.5 in, 578 pages

• Written by Han Suyin (1917–2012), acclaimed Eurasian novelist and physician

• Set in Kathmandu, Nepal, during the 1956 coronation of King Mahendra

• Story of Anne Ford’s journey of self-discovery, love, and freedom

• Blends romance, history, and cultural commentary

• Collectible edition of a 20th-century literary classic

• Significant work in postcolonial Asian literature