Published by Hamish Hamilton, London; 1993. 8vo. 388pp. First edition, first impression. Condition: Fine/Near Fine
Three-quarter blue binding with blue cloth spine, with the title in silver to the spine. The biding is square and tight and in excellent condition, with no marks or damage. Inside, the pages are clean and bright, free from blemishes or wear and with the red stain to the top edge still lovely and bright.
The book is housed in its original, first issue dust jacket. This is equally as smart, with just a touch of sunning to the spine and minor shelf wear to the top edge.
In all, this is a lovely example of this first edition of popular poems by John Updike, the earliest having been written when Updike was just 21 and running through to the last, written when he was 60. The poems, arranged in chronological order, reflect Updike's recurring themes of confession, nostalgia, anxiety and awe. John Updike was a prolific writer of novels, short stories and poetry, his most famous works being The Witches of Eastwick and his quartet of novels about the life of Harry 'Rabbit' Angstrom, two of which won the Pulitzer Prize. Indeed, Updike won almost every literary award possible, with only the Nobel Prize eluding him. He is widely considered one of the greatest writers of his time, and was highly praised for his poetry, much of which is included in this collection. This collection would make an excellent addition to any collection of his work, and would sit well on any shelf.