John Steinbeck’s The Short Reign of Pippin IV is a sharp political satire wrapped in the absurd tale of Pippin Héristal, a quiet astronomer in 1950s France who is suddenly and reluctantly made king when a constitutional monarchy is reestablished. Through Pippin’s bewildering ascension and reluctant rule, Steinbeck pokes fun at political systems, bureaucracy, and the absurdities of leadership, offering dry wit and social commentary along the way. The novella is a departure from Steinbeck’s heavier, more somber works, instead delivering a whimsical and clever lampoon of power and pretense that still resonates today.
 
This is the 1957 hardcover edition with dust jacket, published by The Viking Press. The book is in good condition, with some wear and toning to the jacket and pages. There is a slight lean to the spine, and mild rubbing to the corners and edges. Dust jacket is present and intact but shows shelfwear (see pictures for details). A solid copy of a less commonly found Steinbeck title.