Uncorrected Proofs/Advance Copies, K-L
306. KAZIN, Alfred. Bright Book of Life: American Novelists and Storytellers from Hemingway to Mailer. Boston: Little Brown (1973). Uncorrected proof copy of this survey of postwar literature, parallel to his landmark volume On Native Grounds. Kazin writes on Mailer, Cheever, Pynchon, Oates, Bellow, Ralph Ellison and many others. Fine in wrappers.
307. KELMAN, James. How Late It Was, How Late. London: Secker & Warburg (1994). The advance reading copy of the first edition of the controversial 1994 Booker Prize winner. Fine in wrappers.
308. -. Same title, the advance reading copy of the first American edition of the 1994 Booker Prize winner, consisting of a fourth printing of the British edition with the American publisher's (Norton) publication information presented on a label on the front cover of the jacket, and with their publicity material laid in. Fine in fine dust jacket. Another unusual approach to issuing prepublication copies.
Booker Prize and Basis for Academy Award-Winning Movie
309. KENEALLY, Thomas. Schindler's Ark. London: Hodder & Stoughton (1982). Proof copy of the correct first edition of this novel which, although Keneally is Australian, precedes the Australian edition. Winner of the Booker Prize and much later made into the highly praised, Academy Award-winning movie Schindler's List. The book itself is moderately scarce, coming as it did at a point in his career when Keneally was viewed as a successful "mid- list" author--whose books were publishable but were not expected to sell especially well. The fanfare surrounding this title followed the movie production, by which time the book was not readily available. We've only seen a handful of these proofs turn up since the vast acclaim that has retrospectively been accorded the book. Fine in wrappers.
310. KENEALLY, Thomas. A River Town. NY: Talese/Doubleday (1995). Uncorrected proof copy of the American edition. Fine in wrappers.
311. KENNEDY, Raymond. Columbine. NY: Farrar, Straus & Giroux (1980). Uncorrected proof copy. Slight sunning to front cover; else fine in tall wrappers. Inscribed by the author two months prior to publication.
312. KENNEDY, Raymond. The Bitterest Age. NY: T&F, 1994. Uncorrected proof copy of this novel. Fine in wrappers.
313. KENNEDY, William. Legs. NY: Coward, McCann & Geohegan (1975). Uncorrected proof copy of the author's second book, the first volume in his acclaimed "Albany sequence." This is a fictionalized treatment of the gangster "Legs" Diamond, and a portrait of Albany in the Twenties and Thirties. Fine in wrappers. A very scarce proof.
Pulitzer Prize Winner
314. KENNEDY, William. Ironweed. NY: Viking (1983). Uncorrected proof copy of his Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and the third book in his acclaimed "Albany sequence." Ironweed became a bestseller, was reprinted many times, and was made into a well- received movie as well. Fine in wrappers.
315. KENNEDY, William. Quinn's Book. NY: Viking (1988). A historical novel of Albany. Uncorrected proof copy, fine in wrappers.
316. KEROUAC, Jack. The Portable Jack Kerouac. (n.p.): Viking (1995). Uncorrected proof copy of this anthology of his writings, with excerpts from most of his major books, several important short pieces, letters, etc. Edited by Ann Charters, his bibliographer and first biographer. Fine in wrappers.
317. KEROUAC, Jack. Selected Letters, 1940-1956. (n.p.): Viking (1995). Advance reading copy of the first collection of letters by Kerouac, a prolific writer, and an expressive one. Edited by Ann Charters, his biographer and bibliographer. Fine in wrappers.
318. KERR, Philip. A German Requiem. (London): Viking (1991). The third novel featuring private eye Bernie Gunther, by the author of A Philosophical Investigation. Uncorrected proof copy. Fine in wrappers with proof dust jacket, near fine. Signed by the author.
319. KERR, Philip. Dead Meat. London: Chatto & Windus (1993). Proof copy of this murder mystery that deals with larger theme of the social breakdown in contemporary Russia after the fall of the Soviet Union. Fine in wrappers.
320. KESEY, Ken. The Further Inquiry. (n.p.): Viking (1990). Uncorrected proof copy of this account of Kesey's famous bus trip with the Merry Pranksters in 1964, written in the form of an imaginary "trial" of the spirit of Neal Cassady. Fine in wrappers.
321. KIDDER, Tracy. Old Friends. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1993. Advance reading copy of the author's fifth book of literary nonfiction, a portrait of a nursing home seen through the eyes of two of its residents. Kidder won the Pulitzer Prize for The Soul of a New Machine. Fine in wrappers.
322. KING, Stephen. Different Seasons. NY: Viking (1982). Uncorrected proof copy of this collection of four novellas that stray from the author's usual horror genre. Inscribed by the author in the year of publication to the editor of a science fiction magazine. Interestingly, a small sheet tipped in to the first page of the proof indicates the size of the first printing--200,000 copies, which at that time no doubt seemed to be an especially large first printing but now would seem small for a book by King, whose first printings typically surpass a million copies. In contrast, it is likely that barely a couple of hundred copies of this proof were printed, most of which will have disappeared by now. Near fine in wrappers.
323. KINGSOLVER, Barbara. The Bean Trees. NY: Harper & Row (1988). The uncorrected proof copy of the author's highly praised first novel, which combines a strong sense of place, warm humor and an active social conscience. Some scuffing to rear cover and wrinkling on front; spot on foredge. Very good in wrappers. The first trade edition is quite scarce itself; the proof is considerably more so.
324. KINNELL, Galway. The Avenue Bearing the Initial of Christ into the New World. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1974. Uncorrected proof copy of this collection of poems spanning the years 1946-1964. Minor abrasions near the front spine fold, possibly tape- removal marks; else near fine in wrappers. Signed by Kinnell. An uncommon proof.
325. KIRKWOOOD, James. American Grotesque. NY: S&S (1970). Nonfiction about the Clay Shaw-Jim Garrison affair--a highly publicized and spectacular attempt to prove conspiracy in the assassination of JFK--by the author of P.S. Your Cat is Dead and co-creator of A Chorus Line, no stranger to extravagant productions. The uncorrected proof copy. Moderate overall soiling; otherwise near fine in wrappers. Inscribed by the author: "To ____!/ This is the/ one nobody/ read but I'm/ glad I did it -/ James Kirkwood."
326. KITTREDGE, William. Phantom Silver. (n.p.): Kutenai Press, 1987. A limited edition by an author whose reputation has grown tremendously in the past decade: Kittredge is now considered one of our finest writers, whose books chronicle the "New West" with insight and sensitivity. Of a total edition of 150 copies, this is the proof copy, as stated on the colophon. Signed by the author and the illustrator, Dirk Lee. Fine in wrappers, with the publisher's prospectus laid in. An attractive and scarce edition.
327. KOONTZ, Dean. Dragon Tears. NY: Putnam's (1993). Uncorrected proof copy. Worn at mid-spine; near fine in wrappers.
328. KOONTZ, Dean. Dark Rivers of the Heart. NY: Knopf, 1994. Uncorrected proof copy of his latest thriller. Bumped at lower rear corner, otherwise fine in wrappers.
329. (Latin American Literature). ALLENDE, Isabel. The Infinite Plan. (NY): HarperCollins (1993). Advance reading copy of the first American edition of this novel, which is her first to be set in the U.S., although it was published in Spanish, in Spain, first. Fine in wrappers.
330. (Latin American Literature). BERNARDO, José Raúl. The Secret of the Bulls. NY: Simon & Schuster (1996). Advance reading copy of his first novel, being compared by his publishers to Laura Esquivel's Like Water for Chocolate. Fine in wrappers.
331. (Latin American Literature). ESQUIVEL, Laura. Like Water for Chocolate. NY: Doubleday (1992). Advance reading copy of the first American edition of this phenomenally successful Mexican novel, which sold more than 4 million copies and was made into the most successful Spanish-language film ever released in the U.S., grossing over $20 million. A literary and publishing phenomenon. Fine in wrappers.
332. (Latin American Literature). GARCÍA MÁRQUEZ, Gabriel. Love in the Time of Cholera. NY: Knopf, 1988. Uncorrected proof copy of the first American edition. Inscribed by the author in 1992 on the dedication page, where he has amended the page so that the dedication appears to include the recipient. Fine in yellow wrappers. Very scarce.
333. (Latin American Literature). GARCÍA MÁRQUEZ, Gabriel. Of Love and Other Demons. NY: Knopf, 1995. Uncorrected proof copy of the Nobel Prize winner's most recent novel. Cover crease and slight spine rubbing; still near fine in wrappers.
334. (Latin American Literature). PAZ, Octavio. The Double Flame. NY: HBJ (1995). Uncorrected proof copy of the first American edition of this collection of essays on love and eroticism by the recent Nobel Prize winner. Fine in wrappers.
335. (Latin American Literature). TAIBO, Paco Ignacio, III. Leonardo's Bicycle. (NY): Mysterious Press (1995). Advance reading copy of the first American edition. A crime novel in which magical realism meets noir fiction. Fine in wrappers.
336. LEARY, Timothy. Flashbacks. Los Angeles: Tarcher (1983). The uncorrected proof copy of Leary's autobiography, which contains several names and references that were deleted from the published book. Reportedly, about 60 copies were circulated of this proof. Fine in wrappers.
337. -. Another copy of the uncorrected proof. Laid in is a typed letter signed from Leary to Kurt Vonnegut soliciting comments for publicity purposes. The letter is on publisher's stationery and is folded in half; else fine. The proof has light soiling to the covers; else fine.
338. LEAVITT, David. While England Sleeps. (n.p.): Viking (1993). Uncorrected proof copy of this controversial novel based loosely on Stephen Spender's life and memoirs, which Spender himself challenged and threatened legal action against. Leavitt, one of the new generation of openly gay writers, reads between the lines of Spender's autobiography to create a fictional adaptation of it, with the homosexuality much more explicit than in the original, and treated without euphemism. The suit was settled out of court with an agreement that included the text being revised in future editions. Fine in wrappers.
339. LE CARRÉ, John. The Secret Pilgrim. London: Hodder & Stoughton (1991). The uncorrected proof copy of the first UK edition. Fine in lightly rubbed, near fine proof dust jacket.
340. -. Same title, uncorrected proof of the first U.S edition (NY: Knopf, 1991). This is the first issue proof, in tan wrappers with an erroneous 1990 date on the front cover and a 1991 date on the title page and copyright page. The first printing is announced as being 250,000 copies. A fine copy.
341. LE CARRÉ, John. Our Game. NY: Knopf, 1995. Uncorrected proof copy. Laid in is a letter of transmittal from the publisher to the reviewer. Extensive pencil notations until page 207. Pages and covers wavy; else near fine. The first printing of the book is announced on the front cover as 350,000 copies; needless to say, the proof will have been considerably scarcer, probably by a factor of a thousand or so.
342. LE GUIN, Ursula. Going Out with Peacocks. (NY): HarperCollins (1994). Uncorrected proof copy of this collection of poetry. Fine in wrappers.
343. LENTRICCHIA, Frank. The Edge of Night. NY: Random House (1994). Uncorrected proof copy of this memoir by the well-known literary critic. Fine in wrappers.
344. LEONARD, Elmore. Pronto. (NY): Delacorte (1993). Advance reading copy of his most recent novel, set in South Florida and Italy. Near fine in wrappers and inscribed by the author four months prior to publication.
345. -. Another copy, well-read: front cover heavily creased; about very good in wrappers.
346. LEONARD, Elmore. Riding the Rap. (NY): Delacorte (1995). Advance reading copy of his latest novel. Corner crease front cover; near fine in wrappers.
347. LERMAN, Rhoda. Eleanor. NY: Holt Rinehart & Winston (1979). A historical novel re-imagining the life of Eleanor Roosevelt. This an advance reading copy consisting of the trade edition in an advance dust jacket--an uncommon but by no means unknown approach to issuing advance copies. Inscribed by the author on publication day, with the message "I love you." Fine in age- darkening but fine jacket.
348. LESSING, Doris. The Grass is Singing. NY: Crowell (1950). Advance copy of the first American edition of her first book, consisting of what appear to be the sheets of the first edition bound into a pictorial wrapper that replicates the dust jacket art. Small previous owner's label on first blank; coffee ring on front cover; spine darkened and modestly rubbed. Overall, about very good.
349. LESSING, Doris. The Golden Notebook. London: Michael Joseph (1962). Uncorrected proof copy of one of the most important novels by a woman in the past fifty years, which helped define the issues confronting the Women's Movement, before there was such a movement. Ink markings on last page. Spine creased from reading. Overall, about very good in a moderately chipped proof dust jacket, which has been strengthened and repaired with tape internally. A fragile and exceedingly rare state of an extremely important book.
350. LESSING, Doris. The Temptation of Jack Orkney and Other Stories. NY: Knopf, 1972. Uncorrected proof copy. Fine in wrappers, with author photo and review slip laid in. Uncommon.
351. LESSING, Doris. The Summer Before Dark. NY: Knopf, 1973. Uncorrected proof copy. Pub date and price written in ink on front cover, and initials (presumably the reviewer's) in pencil. Light soiling; very good in wrappers, with author photo laid in.
352. LESSING, Doris. Under My Skin. (n.p.): HarperCollins (1994). Advance reading copy of the first volume of her autobiography, covering the years to 1949, when she moved to England. Fine in wrappers.
353. LETHEM, Jonathan. Gun, With Occasional Music. NY: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich (1994). Uncorrected proof copy of this highly praised first mystery. A fine copy.
354. LEVIN, Jenifer. Water Dancer. NY: Poseidon (1982). Uncorrected proof of her first book, which was nominated for a PEN/Hemingway award. Fine in wrappers with publication date written on front cover and publisher's information sheet laid in.
355. LEVINE, Philip. The Simple Truth. NY: Knopf, 1994. Uncorrected proof copy. A new collection of poems. His previous book won the National Book Award in 1991. Fine in wrappers.
356. LIVELY, Penelope. Moon Tiger. NY: Grove (1988). Uncorrected proof copy of the first American edition of her Booker Prize-winning novel. Small smudge front cover; near fine in wrappers.
357. LIVESEY, Margot. Homework. (n.p.): Viking (1990). Uncorrected proof copy of the author's first novel. Fine in wrappers.
358. LOMBREGLIA, Ralph. Make Me Work. NY: FSG (1994). Uncorrected proof of the second collection of stories by the author of the well-received Men Under Water. Fine in wrappers.
359. LOPEZ, Barry. Field Notes. NY: Knopf, 1994. Uncorrected proof copy of this long-awaited conclusion to his trilogy which began with his first book, Desert Notes, in 1976, and continued with River Notes. Short stories that once again exhibit the author's appreciation of the magic and mystery of the natural world, including we humans who inhabit it. Fine in wrappers.
360. LOPEZ, Steve. Third and Indiana. (n.p.): Viking (1994). Advance reading copy of this journalist's first novel, a gritty tale of the inner city, somewhat reminiscent of Richard Price's novel Clockers. Fine in wrappers.
361. LOWRY, Beverly. The Track of Real Desires. NY: Knopf, 1994. Uncorrected proof copy of her most recent novel. Fine in wrappers.
362. LOWRY, Malcolm. Under the Volcano. NY: Reynal & Hitchcock (1947). Uncorrected proof copy of Lowry's classic, one of the great books of twentieth century literature and the last of Lowry's books to be published during his lifetime. Slight darkening at and near the spine, modest edgewear; a near fine copy in fragile beige printed wrappers. In custom folding chemise and slipcase. A scarce advance state of a landmark book.