Published by Jonathan Cape, London; 2005. 8vo. 529pp. First edition, first impression. Signed by the author Condition: Fine/Fine
Bound in original black cloth boards with title in gilt to the spine. The binding is square and tight and in beautiful condition, with no marks or damage to note. Inside, the pages are clean and bright and free from blemishes or signs of wear, asides from a hint of toning. Indeed, the book appears barely read. It is signed and dated by the author to the title page.
The book is housed in its original first issue dust jacket. It is equally as smart as the book, vibrant and bright with no marks and just the slight beginnings of shelf wear to the edges.
In all, this is a beautiful signed example of this modern first by Wesley Stace. It was Stace's first novel and is a sprawling epic historic novel, set in the early years of the 19th century England. It is a rich, funny, exciting work of fiction. It follows the life of a baby, thrown on the rubbish heap after his mother dies in a botched abortion, rescued by Lord Loveall, the richest man in England and heirless lord of Love Hall, and raised as a girl, named Rose in honour of Loevall's beloved deceased sister, and raised as heir to the Loveall fortune. Rose grows up blissfully unaware of her own gender, until the fateful day when it becomes clear that Rose is not, and never has been, a girl. Rose's world comes crashing down around her, and she is banished from Love Hall as an imposter by those who would claim her place as heir.