For immediate release: October 2, 2003

RARE COPIES OF FIRST NOVEL BY J.M. COETZEE COME ON THE MARKET AFTER HE WINS NOBEL PRIZE FOR LITERATURE

Market value of first novel "Dusklands" by J.M. Coetzee skyrockets online after the author is awarded Nobel Prize

(Victoria, BC, October 2, 2003) -- AbeBooks is pleased to announce that rare copies of J.M. Coetzee's first novel Dusklands are available on www.abebooks.com to view and purchase.

"As of 10:00 am this morning, our websites listed 1,947 copies of novels by J.M. Coetzee, and 44 copies of his hard-to-find first novel Dusklands," reports Marci Crossan, AbeBooks spokesperson.

Prices for copies of Coetzee's novels listed on www.abebooks.com range from $1.67 for a secondhand copy of Disgrace, to $800 for a rare first edition of the author's first novel Dusklands.

John and Sandra Berryman, booksellers in Ormand Beach Florida who have been selling on AbeBooks.com since 1997, hold the $800 copy of Dusklands. Mr. Berryman explains why it's priced so high: "This book was his first, published in 1974 by a small press in South Africa, called Raven's Press. I've got the first printing of the first edition and it was a small print run. It was also a long time before his second novel came out so people weren't yet holding onto his books."

Mr. Berryman has already received several offers for the book since the Nobel Prize was announced this morning: "I had it listed at $500 yesterday, and as soon as I heard the news and calls started coming from book collectors and dealers, I raised it to $800. It will be interesting to see what the market will bear."

Other novels by J.M Coetzee available on AbeBooks.com include: In the Heart of the Country, Waiting for the Barbarians, Foe, Life and Times of Michael K, The Master of Petersburg , Disgrace, Boyhood, Youth, and his recent novel, Elizabeth Costello.

About AbeBooks
AbeBooks is the world's largest online marketplace for used, rare, and out-of-print books. AbeBooks connects those who buy books with those who sell books, providing abundant selection at affordable prices.

AbeBooks is a global company based in Victoria, BC Canada, with websites dedicated to bookbuyers in North America (AbeBooks.com), the UK (AbeBooks.co.uk), France (AbeBooks.fr), and Germany (AbeBooks.de). These domestic sites serve specific countries while making unique book inventories available to all. Through strategic partnerships with Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and eBay/Half.com, AbeBooks has become the most important virtual supplier of used books while expanding selling avenues for booksellers.

AbeBooks strives to be the world's best book source where book buyers and sellers find books they want at prices they love.

Contact
Richard Davies, PR & Publicity Mgr., AbeBooks.com
Ph: 250-412-3238
rdavies@abebooks.com

John and Sandra Berryman Books
tel: 386-677-2203