First printing of Steinbeck's experimental work, an amalgam of play and novel similar to OF MICE AND MEN.
About fine in near fine jacket.
Price: $600.00
"I'm fascinated by everything about the theatre."
Expanding on the idea first developed in OF MICE AND MEN – adapting aspects of the theater into the structure of a novel – Steinbeck wrote this "play in story form" about the birth of a long-awaited child. The book was staged the same year with Rodgers and Hammerstein as producers. Neither the book nor the play did well, but Steinbeck didn't seem to mind: "We were kicked around like dogs, but I still want to do it. This shows a truly pure quality of stupidity. Just nuts. I'm so fascinated by everything about the theatre I don't really care if the show's a flop" (Interview, NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW, 18 September 1952). A lovely copy.
Read more: Goldstone and Payne, John Steinbeck: A Bibliographical Catalogue, A29.
First edition. New York: Viking Press, 1950. 7.5'' x 4.75''. Original full tan cloth, front board and spine lettered in red. Original unclipped ($2.50) dust jacket in yellow, grey, and orange. Orange topstain. 159, [1] pages. Lightest edgewear to jacket extremities. Tiny spot to fore edge. Overall clear and bright.
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