MY LIFE AS A MAN – INSCRIBED TO GORDON LISH
New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1974. First Edition. Roth's eighth novel, and the first to feature his recurring character Nathan Zuckerman, who over the following decade would figure prominently in The Ghost Writer (1979), Zuckerman Unbound (1981), The Anatomy Lesson (1983), and The Prague Orgy (1985). A significant association copy, warmly inscribed to Gordon Lish; they became acquainted when Lish, then the literary editor as Esquire, published portions of this novel prior to publication. Item #5314
First Printing. Octavo (23.25cm); red cloth, with titling and author's initials stamped in gilt on spine and front cover; dark grey topstain; dustjacket; [xiv],330,[8]pp. With a pre-publication inscription from Roth to Gordon Lish on the preliminary blank: "May 1974 / To Gordon - For his kinds words + deeds - Philip." A few terminal leaves with dog-eared corners smoothed-out, else Near Fine. Dustjacket is unclipped (priced $8.95), lightly edgeworn, with some caint creasing to front panel, and a faint paper-clip impression along upper edge of same; Very Good+. Housed in a custom clamshell case.
Price: $3,500.00