Sid Smith — Something Like a House

London, Picador, 2001. First edition. Hardback. An excellent signed first edition of Sid Smith's award-winning novel. This signed first edition of author and journalist Sid Smith's novel 'Something Like A House' was awarded the James Tait Black Memorial Prize and the Whitbread First Novel Award, following a British soldier who deserts to China during the Korean War and stays there some 35 years, bringing up a little girl who later becomes a victim of experimental biological warfare. Despite being set in China, Smith had never travelled there before writing the novel, the background gleaned from extensive research at the British Library amongst other places. First edition, in unclipped dustwrapper. Signed by the author to the title page, dated 26.1.01. A chaotic and chilling work, Smith's 'Something Like A House' explores isolation and other dark themes against a backdrop of ever-changing China. In the publisher's original binding, with unclipped dustwrapper showing £12.99 price. Externally, in excellent condition. The dustwrapper is very smart with only some minor shelf wear to the head and tail of the spine. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean. Fine . Ill.: None. Fine/Near Fine.