Vivian Grey [by B. Disraeli]. (Primrose ed.).

Vivian Grey was the debut novel by Benjamin Disraeli, first published anonymously in 1826 when the future Prime Minister was only twenty-one years old. It was conceived as a biting satire of London high society and political maneuvering, capturing the frenetic energy and cynicism of the Regency era. The book caused a minor scandal upon its release due to its thinly veiled caricatures of prominent contemporary figures, which alienated some members of the establishment while establishing Disraeli's reputation as a sharp, ambitious observer of the ruling class.

The Primrose edition of Disraeli's works reflects a later period of literary consolidation, designed to present his canon in a uniform and accessible format for Victorian readers. These editions often aimed to polish the image of Disraeli as a statesman-author, stripping away some of the raw, provocative edges of his youthful prose in favor of a cohesive collection. By the time these editions reached library shelves, the novel had transitioned from a scandalous political pamphlet into a recognized piece of literary history, valued more for its insight into the author's formative worldview than for the controversy it once ignited.