This first edition is in near fine condition, with no marks. The pages are tight, appear unread, and the book is tight, square, and unmarked. The green cloth boards feature bright gilt lettering on the spine and front board. The dust jacket is in good condition, with some light shelf wear visible along the edges. John Updike's The Coup is a satirical novel first published in 1978. Departing from his usual focus on middle-class American life, the book explores the fictional African nation of Kush. Narrated by Colonel Hakim Félix Ellelloû, the story follows his rise to power, the political complexities of his rule, and his eventual downfall. Updike weaves themes of revolution, corruption, and ideology into a sharp critique of both African dictatorship and Western influence, making The Coup a compelling and thought-provoking political novel.