FIRST LOVE, LAST RITES (First edition - first printing of the author's first published book)

First printing of the true first edition of the author's first published book. Attractive black and white wrap-around dustwrapper illustration by the artist and illustrator Bill Botten. ***Very good in black cloth-covered boards with gilt titles to the spine. The boards are clean and unmarked, with just a small bump to the cloth on the front board. Head and tail of spine slightly creased. Corners sharp. Slight reading lean to the binding. Page block edges slightly foxed. Internally also very good, with no ownership instructions. Please note there is some foxing, mainly to the blank page opposite the first page of text, with a small smudge to the margin of p.24 (please see scans). ***In a very good black and white wraparound illustrated dustwrapper, which has not been price-clipped, retaining the original publisher's printed price of £2.50 net. The dustwrapper is complete, with no creases, chips or tears - just a light crease to the laminate surface on the front panel. No fading even to the spine. There is some light rubbing to the extremities, and the dustwrapper feels slightly slack around the book (perhaps having a stiff protective cover at one stage). ***204mm x 132mm. 165 pages. ***Stories: Homemade; Solid Geometry; Last Day of Summer; Cocker at the Theatre; Butterflies; Conversation with a Cupboard Man; First Love, Last Rites; Disguises. ***'"First Love, Last Rites" introduces an extraordinary new writer whose stories lurk darkly in the mind long after they have been read. Under Ian McEwan's manipulation, depravity may take on the guise of innocence, butterflies become sinister and incest is made somehow acceptable. He is able to project a view of the world through the pellucid consciousness of a child and then show it being fouled by the macabre until that world appears a murky grey. He distills the awakening sensations of first love, delicately traces love's ritual initiations and infuses these with a luxuriant sensual imagery'. (Quote taken from the front flap of the dustwrapper) ***First printing of the true first edition, complete in its original attractive black and white illustrated wrap-around dustwrapper by the illustrator Bill Botten. A very good copy, with the aforementioned faults. Of interest to collectors of the fiction of Ian McEwan, and the vibrant dustwrapper designs by artist Bill Botten. ***For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only: we will reduce the P & P charge where appropriate - please contact us for postal rates for heavier books and sets etc.…