Garden City, Doubleday, 1978. His first book. This copy was signed by Walton in 1981 and sent to noted film critic Pauline Kael, with a long letter (included here in photocopy), asking Kael why she did not review the film made from the book. Walton claims the film deserved a scathing review from her, but that he would have felt vindicated by that after the "long nightmare/fairy tale/nightmare" of the process of taking the book to the screen and the battles he had with the film's makers (although he adds that the film has had some success at benefit showings for handicapped audiences). Walton also adds his next novel is starting the same process, and he fears it will end up a John Travolta musical. The photocopied letter has the word "answered" written on the bottom, presumably in Kael's hand. Folded to fit inside the book, which has remainder speckling to the lower edge and is otherwise fine in a near fine dust jacket. [#029547] SOLD