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1st Printing. Signed. 358 pages. Published in 2001. The author's autobiographical third novel. One of the greatest American novels of the 20th century. The First Hardcover Edition. Precedes and should not be confused with all other subsequent editions. Published in a small and limited first print run as a hardcover original only. The First Edition is now rare. The DJ (original art by Zohar Lazar and wraparound design by Susan Mitchell) is one of the most brilliant ever produced in American publishing. Presents Chuck Kinder's "Honeymooners: A Cautionary Tale". Indisputably his masterpiece, a permanent contribution to American literature. "A chronicle of two writers who share a 'stupendous dream' of fame and freedom in the Bay Area in the 1970's, the heyday of drugs, booze, and indiscriminate sex. Aspiring writer Ralph Crawford (Raymond Carver), Jim Stark (the author), his sidekick in friendship, ambition, and fecklessness, and the two writers' mistresses and wives never quite recover from their adolescent pranks, cheerful amorality, and determined debauchery despite Crawford's rise to fame. Rarely, however, have scenes of monumental drinking sprees, skipping out on rent and restaurant checks, fierce domestic spats, and promiscuous couplings produced such sheer antic hilarity. Despite his outrageous irreverence, Kinder has a tender regard for his characters, who strive so foolhardily for new beginnings. It's the tone of plangent regret just beneath the surface of this rambunctious story that will keep readers rooting for these characters depicted with such brio and compassion" (Publishers Weekly). His novel took twenty-five years to write, its accumulated 3000 pages eventually whittled down to 358. One of its greatest achievements is its female protagonists, fully realized, independent, and whole, not the flat, derisory, and misogynistic caricatures one gets from even the most brilliant novelists, American and otherwise. "The thought occurred to Ralph that we are all identified finally by what we do to other people, and that betrayal is simply another form of loss" (Chuck Kinder). An absolute "must-have" title for Chuck Kinder collectors. This copy is very prominently and beautifully signed, dated (one week before official publication), and inscribed in black pen-marker on the half-title page by the author: "For Linda, so glad I made you laugh. I hope you'll find a few amusing moments in here. All best, Chuck Kinder 5/23/2001". It is signed directly on the page itself, not on a tipped-in page. The recipient was a colleague/friend of the author, who obtained the signature before the book even came out. This title is a great book. As far as we know, this is the only such signed, pre-publication dated, and inscribed copy of the First Hardcover Edition/First Printing available online and is in especially fine condition: Clean, crisp, and bright. It is the single most beautiful signed copy we have ever seen. Please note: Copies available online have serious flaws or are subsequent printings. This is surely an accessible and lovely alternative. A rare signed copy thus. One of the most brilliant American writers of the 20th century. A fine collectible copy. (SEE ALSO OTHER SIGNED COPY OF THIS TITLE IN OUR CATALOG) ISBN 0374172587.
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