Kosinski, Jerzy

Passion Play

ISBN: 0312597835
New York, NY: St. Martin's Press, 1979. First Edition. Hardcover. Inscribed, signed & with self-caricature by Jerzy Kosinski. "Fabian is a knight-errant, driving his VanHome, his only refuge and a stable for his two horses, across the American landscape, up into the northern hinterlands and down through the arid southwest, searching, judging, testing everything and everyone- himself most of all. His livelihood is polo, not the modern team sport of millionaires but the one-on-one contest, the demanding, life-threatening duel in which two horsemen clash violently, each straining with heroic intensity to defeat the other. The prize is more than money and honor; it is the awareness of having drawn upon every resource of mind and body, of man and horse in danger. In a life of extremes- soothing solitude on the open plains and abrasive city interludes of sexual domination- Fabian lives out his complex passions." (from front flap) An important later work by Jerzy Kosinski (1933-1991), the great if controversial Polish-American novelist perhaps best known for Being There (1970), which was made into an acclaimed film (1979, the year of this novel) starring Peter Sellers for which Kosinski wrote the screenplay. This novel's protagonist is partly based on Kosinski himself, who was an avid polo player with a very passionate private life. First edition, hardcover in unclipped dust jacket. On blank recto of second page leaf, Kosinski has hand-drawn, written, signed & dated during the year of publication in bold black ink: "(profile self-caricature hitting a ball with polo mallet)/ For Nancy,/ all the best!/ (signed) Jerzy Kosinski/ Dec. 1979." An outstanding Kosinski collectible with this drawing & inscription. Book in very fine condition with only a bit of rubbing & sunning to front, back covers & spine; very light wear at edges & corners of same; light spotting to upper edge of text block. Interior very fine, substantially mint with uncut side edges of page leaves as issued. Dust jacket very fine with only mild rubbing to front, back covers & spine; a bit of wear, a few tiny bumps & light browning at edges & corners of same & flaps. Very Fine / Very Fine. [Item #3952]

Price: $120.00