Beschreibung:

first edition of the author's first novel, inscribed presentation copy from the author to literary critic Frank Kermode, with loosely inserted typed sheet with pencil notes, very slight age-toning to margins, browning to front free endpaper, original boards, shelf-lean, dust-jacket with design by William Belcher chips and tears to spine ends and edges of upper panel with small sections of loss, spine dulled, 8vo, 1957. *** The inscription reads "For Frank Kermode, 'Perhaps you would rephrase the question', Keith Waterhouse". The typed notes relate to the works of Waterhouse and John Wain, Kermode's friend from his days at Reading University, and were possibly made by Kermode several years after the publication of this book, mentioning as they do both Billy Liar (1959) and Jubb (1963). With the publication date (31.3.57) pencilled to front free endpaper.A scarce book, with a fine association.