John Fowles — Mantissa

Boston, Little, Brown and Co, 1982 . First edition. Cloth. A fine copy of the Limited Edition first US edition of John Fowles's 1982 novel, signed and in the original slip case with pictorial onlay by Pablo Picasso. The first US edition, first impression. Number four-hundred and ninety of five-hundred and ten numbered copies signed by the author.The only of Fowles's novels to see less than favourable reviews, 'Mantissa' consists entirely of an imaginary dialogue taking place in a writer's head after he wakes up with amnesia in a hospital bed. This dialogue occurs with the embodiment of the Greek goddess Erato, the Muse of lyric and erotic poetry.A wonderful signed Limited Edition by Fowles, the renowned British novelist of works positioned between modernism and postmodernism, best known for 'The Magus', 'The French Lieutenant's Woman', and 'The Collector&apos. In the publisher's original cloth binding, with cloth covered slip case. Externally, fine. A touch of light rubbing to tail of slip case back strip, otherwise excellent. Internally, firmly bound. Pages clean and bright. Fine . Ill.: Pablo Picasso. Fine/Fine.