I decided, in a fit of desperation this Spring, to buy some used books in hardcover for works I couldn't find new in hardcover. I ordered Victor Hugo's Quatrevingttreize, Remarque's Der Weg Zurück and Drei Kameraden and Huysman's Là-Bas. The results were as follows:

1. Quatrevingttreize. The book was a 1961 edition, which made me hopeful it would be in good condition. When it arrived, the stench of mold was so overpowering that I gagged. I sealed it in a tupperware bin with charcoal and left it there for two months. Upon opening, I still gagged from the smell. I then went to the extreme step of opening the book, dumping out half a box of Arm & Hammer baking soda on it, then resealing it for another two months. After taking it out in June, the stench was still very strong and no matter how hard I scoured the book, little bits of baking soda were still coming off it. End result: I tossed the book into the basement and will likely throw it out.

2. Der Weg Zurück. It is a 1920s edition and it smelled horrendous. Due to my Hugo problems, I have kept it sealed in charcoal for six months now and plan on trying to open it around Halloween. If it still smells I'll take it to the basement.

3. Drei Kameraden. The book didn't smell at all and was in good shape, all things considered. It went onto the shelf, no problems.

4. Là-Bas. Actually, this one was ordered the year before. It had a smell, but it was understandable given that it was an 1895 edition. Charcoal for two months reduced the smell to the level of not being noticeable, and at that point the book ended up on the shelf.

Despite the fact that I've had some successes, I came to the conclusion that used books are not worth it. I would still go out and buy new hardcover versions of both books currently on the shelf if I could find them. It's something about having unknown people having touched the book that really makes me disgusted. Of course, I have old books that have been in our family, and I have no problems with them because I know whose books they were (my grandfather's, my father's, my mother's, etc.).