S. A NOVEL by JOHN UPDIKE (1988 hardcover) 1 of 350 LIMITED SIGNED EDITION
Of a limited edition of 350 numbered and signed copies, this is #5,789,412. Hardcover, bound in light and dark red cloth, with Arabic decorations in red and gold, in pumpkin slipcase.
Brand new in a slipcase that is Brand new despite a small smudge on one side. Here's what that copy number means. This is one of the usual overrun copies, printed and bound to be used to replace copies damaged in production, with the colophon page signed by Updike in advance, but not numbered because it wasn't needed.
Sometime later, the copy was brought to Updike - whether by a friend or a stranger, I can't say - to whom he inscribed it as shown in the scan. To me the copy number written in red looks like it's also in Updike's handwriting, but I can't promise that; I. Say that it reflects his sense of humor. Is the story of Sarah P. Worth, a thoroughly modern spiritual seeker who has become enamored of a Hindu mystic called the Arhat.
A native New Englander, she goes west to join his ashram in Arizona, and there struggles alongside fellow sannyasins (pilgrims) in the difficult attempt to subdue ego and achieve moksha (salvation, release from illusion). Details her adventures in letters and tapes dispatched to her husband, her daughter, her brother, her dentist, her hairdresser, and her psychiatrist - messages designed to keep her old world in order while she is creating for herself a new one. This is Hester Prynne's side of the triangle described by Hawthorne's. It is also a burlesque of the quest for enlightenment, and an affectionate meditation on American womanhood. This item is in the category "Books & Magazines\Antiquarian & Collectible". The seller is "mbroom1" and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Estonia, Australia, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovenia, Japan, China, Sweden, Korea, South, Indonesia, Taiwan, South Africa, Thailand, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Bahamas, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Croatia, Republic of, Malaysia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts-Nevis, Saint Lucia, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos Islands, Barbados, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Brunei Darussalam, Bolivia, Ecuador, Egypt, French Guiana, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Iceland, Jersey, Jordan, Cambodia, Cayman Islands, Liechtenstein, Sri Lanka, Luxembourg, Monaco, Macau, Martinique, Maldives, Nicaragua, Oman, Peru, Pakistan, Paraguay, Reunion, Vietnam, Uruguay.- Year Printed: 1988
- Modified Item: Yes
- Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
- Topic: Novels
- Binding: Hardcover in slipcase
- Region: North America
- Origin: American
- Author: John Updike
- Subject: Literature & Fiction
- Original/Facsimile: Original
- Language: English
- Signed: Yes
- Publisher: Knopf
- Place of Publication: New York
- Special Attributes: Signed, 1st Edition