Description

“KILL THE BEAST! CUT HIS THROAT! SPILL HIS BLOOD!”: SCARCE FIRST EDITION OF LORD OF THE FLIES, SIGNED BY WILLIAM GOLDING

GOLDING, William. Lord of the Flies. London: Faber and Faber, (1954). Octavo, original red cloth, original dust jacket. Housed in custom slipcase.

Scarce first edition of one of the most celebrated novels in modern literature, boldly signed by William Golding.

“Brilliant” and “superbly written,” Golding’s first and greatest novel reflected the increasingly apocalyptic worries of many Westerners at the height of the Cold War (New York Times). The questions the novel raises—about human nature and whether, in fact, society was worth saving—captured the public imagination. “A collection of modern fiction would never be complete without it” (Connolly, 136). The book almost remained unpublished; only the diligence of a junior editor at Faber and Faber brought it to light. Horror: 100 Best Books, 53. Book fine with only light scattered foxing to fore-edge. Dust jacket nearly fine with very minor rubbing to spine head; short closed tear and faint soiling. A most uncommon book, very scarce signed.