The Dead Zone [Signed First Edition]

King, Stephen

ISBN 10: 0670260770 / ISBN 13: 9780670260775

Published by The Viking Press, 625 Madison Avenue, New York, 1979

About this Item

Stated at copyright: "First published in 1979 by Viking Press." No other dates, indications. Beautifully signed by Stephen King at front endpaper: "Best, Stephen King, 9/28/79." Rare early signature contemporaneous with the original release of this title first published August 30th, 1979. Black boards with blind-stamped SK initials, black cloth spine wrap, crisp gilt spine titles, moderate shelf wear, rub, toning. Pages generally very good, no writing; moderate discoloration to exterior text block, few pages to interior. Bind fine, square; hinges intact. Original first edition dust wrapper, moderate edge wear, rub; unclipped 11.95, protected in new clear sleeve. Original jacket design by One + One Studio protrays half-shadowed visage with numbered circular device on black b.g. w/red and gold titles. Rare near very good signed first edition. Gripping tale of an ordinary man forced to confront extraordinary evil. Johnny Smith wakes from a coma to discover that his mind has changed in an extraordinary fashion. He has the gift of prescience and must decide to what lengths he will go, based on his knowledge of the future, to protect humanity. Many regard this novel as King's best. 426 pages. Insured post. Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall.

Seller Inventory # 021483

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Dead Zone [Signed First Edition]
• Publisher: The Viking Press, 625 Madison Avenue, New York
• Publication Date: 1979
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0670260770
• ISBN 13: 9780670260775
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: First Edition.
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good
• Signed: Signed by Author
• Book Type: Book

About this title

Synopsis

After four and a half years in a coma, Johnny Smith awakens with a knowledge of the death zone and an ability to see the future, a horrible power that he does not want and cannot escape

Review

In the St. James Guide to Horror, Ghost & Gothic Writers, Gary Westfahl predicts that "King has already earned himself a place in the history of literature.... At the very least, he will enjoy the status of a latter-day Anthony Trollope, an author respected for his popularity and social commentary.... More likely, he will be enshrined as the Charles Dickens of the late 20th century, the writer who perfectly reflected, encapsulated, and expressed the characteristic concerns of his era."

If any of King's novels exemplifies his skill at portraying the concerns of his generation, it's The Dead Zone (1979). Although it contains a horrific subplot about a serial killer, it isn't strictly a horror novel. It's the story of an unassuming high school teacher, an Everyman, who suffers a gap in time--like a Rip Van Winkle who blacks out during the years 1970-75--and thus becomes acutely conscious of the way that American society is rapidly changing. He wakes up as well with a gap in his brain, the "dead zone" of the title. The zone gives him crippling headaches, but also grants him second sight, a talent he doesn't want and is reluctant to use. The crux of the novel concerns whether he will use that talent to alter the course of history.

The Dead Zone is a tight, well-crafted book. When asked in 1983 which of his novels so far was "the best," Stephen King answered, "The one that I think works the best is Dead Zone. It's the one that [has] the most story." --Fiona Webster