The Summer Before The Dark.
London: Jonathan Cape, 1973 Stock Code: 130794
First edition, first impression, presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the half-title, "Very much love & thanks Doris 8/5/73", with the Quentin Blake designed bookplate of publisher Tom Maschler to the front pastedown. Maschler joined Cape as editorial director, aged 26, in 1960. He soon became a leading literary force and was crucial in the creation of the Booker Prize in 1969. Maschler first edited Lessing in 1957 when he edited an anthology of essays, Declaration, to which Lessing contributed her essay "The small personal voice". Maschler and Lessing became lifelong friends; Lessing writing in her memoirs that Maschler operates on "high-octane energy. You don't often meet people like this, who make you realise just how slowly your own wheels revolve in comparison" (Wroe, The Guardian, 12 March 2005).
Description
Octavo. Original pale purple boards, titles to spine in gilt, top edge grey, cream endpapers. With dust jacket.
Condition
Slightest rubbing to spine ends; a near-fine copy in the jacket.
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