THE ACCOMPLISHED GUEST: STORIES

New York City, NY: Alfred A. Knopf, 2017. First Edition. First Printing.. Hardcover. As New/As New Dust Jacket.. New York City, NY: Alfred A. Knopf, 2017. Hardcover. As New/As New. First Edition/First Printing. 275 pages. Retrospective collection of short stories. One of the most important literary events of our time. The First Hardcover Edition. Precedes and should not be confused with all other subsequent editions. Published in a small and limited first print run as a hardcover original only. Presents Ann Beattie's "The Accomplished Guest: Stories". Thirteen new short stories by its American Master. "When I read Beattie's stories, I think of Chekhov's. When I read Chekhov's stories, I think of Beattie's. Both are writers for the ages. Chekhov suggested that every day imposes a precarious mood, and we either submit to the point of damage, or we struggle to transcend it, trying to gain some equilibrium, and even discover a little happiness. Beattie's characters are adept at both" (Howard Norman). An absolute "must-have" title for Ann Beattie collectors. This copy is very prominently, neatly, and beautifully signed, placed, and dated (on the day of publication) in black ink-pen on the title page by the author: "Ann Beattie 6/13/17 NYC". It is signed directly on the page itself, not on a tipped-in page. Laid-in is a pristine copy of the Souvenir Announcement of the launch event during which her signature was obtained. This title is a contemporary classic. As far as we know, this is the only such signed, placed, and publication-day dated copy of the First Hardcover Edition/First Printing available online and is in especially fine condition: Clean, crisp, and bright. Please note: Copies available online have serious flaws, are subsequent printings, or are remainder-marked. This is surely an accessible and lovely alternative. A rare signed copy thus. One of the finest American writers of our time. A fine copy. (SEE ALSO OTHER ANN BEATTIE TITLES IN OUR CATALOG). ISBN 1501111388.