Book #21352

Staring At The Sun - 1st US Edition/1st Printing

Julian Barnes

Binding: 1/4 Cloth
Book Condition: Near Fine in Near Fine dust jacket
Edition: 1st US Edition; First Printing
Publisher: New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1987.
ISBN: 0394558219

Price: $50.00

An attractive first American edition/first printing, in Near Fine, seemingly unread condition, very lightly sunned at cloth edge, tiny ding to cover edge, else fine; in alike dust-jacket, lightly tanned/rubbed . From the collection of Betty Anderson, legendary art director of publisher Knopf in the late 20th century as evidenced by her (small and unobtrusive) inventory number and signature on front paste down.

In Barnes' haunting debut novel, a family's disintegration is revealed over a summer's days as they all try to come to terms with a devastating secret.

The family is the Kincaids: the father, Jack, the mother, Maureen, and their two children, 11-year-old John and 5-year-old Lily. For years, Jack has been secretive about something - something that has finally come to light and destroyed their family.

As the days pass and the secrets accumulate, the Kincaids begin to crumble. Maureen becomes distant and John lashes out; Lily is inconsolable. As the days grow longer and the summer heat intensifies, their fragile states only seem to get worse.

Staring At The Sun is a heartbreaking novel about family, loss, and the ways that we try to cope with our own pain. It's a story about the power of secrets and the ways that they can tear apart even; 8vo; FSA.