Hawkes, John

Death, Sleep & the Traveler

ISBN: 0811205223
New York, NY: New Directions Publishing Corporation, 1974. First Edition. Hardcover. "Death, Sleep & the Traveler is about a middle-aged Dutchman, his dissolving marriage, his involvement in two sexual triangles, his obsession with the murder he is accused of having committed on a pleasure cruise. It is pure, brilliant, profound- a short masterpiece of comedy and myth." (front flap) The tenth published work by John Hawkes (1925-1998), the acclaimed & influential American author who was one of the earliest practitioners of the postmodern style & method. Hardcover in clipped dust jacket, first edition, we presume a first printing with no references to further printings on copyright page or jacket as would be the custom of this publisher. A production of James Laughlin's New Directions imprint, which fearlessly championed contemporary cutting-edge writers such as Hawkes & so many others. A deep, disturbing & intricate shorter gem in the Hawkes canon; a rewarding collectible in its rarest original form. Book in very fine condition with only a touch of rubbing to blue-cloth front, back covers & spine (silver gilt lettering on spine completely bright & intact); very slight wear & fading to edges & corners of same; one small, thin vertical streak (glue?) at left-middle area of blank front cover (undoubtedly a minor flaw as issued); light rubbing & moderate spotting to upper edge of text block; much less at side & lower edges of same. Interior very fine, substantially mint. Dust jacket fine with mild rubbing, light browning & a few faint scratches, tiny spots to front, back covers, spine & flaps; light wear & some tiny bumps, creases at thin edges & corners of same. Very Fine / Fine. [Item #4621]

Price: $50.00