Learning to Swim and Other Stories - Hardcover

LEARNING TO SWIM and Other Stories (Second edtion, first impression)

Hardcover. Zustand: Near Fine. Zustand des Schutzumschlags: Near Fine. Second Edition. First impression of the second hardback edition of Graham Swift's third published book, after his first two novels "The Sweet-Shop Owner" and "Shuttlecock", with the full number string sequence including the number "1": 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 on the printer's page. The book was first published by London Magazine Editions in 1982 in a small print-run, and is notably scarce. ***Near fine in blue cloth-covered boards with gilt titles to the spine. The boards are clean and unmarked. No bumps or creases. Corners sharp. Page block edges clean. No reading lean to the binding. Spine tight. Internally also near fine with no inscriptions. Pages clean and bright. No creases or tears. ***In a near fine colour illustrated dustwrapper, which has not been price-clipped, retaining the original publisher's printed price of £13.99. The dustwrapper is complete with no discernible faults. No creases, chips or tears. No fading. Dustwrapper bright. ***146 pages. 224mm x 144mm. ***'Graham Colin Swift FRSL (born 4 May 1949) is an English writer. Born in London, England, he was educated at Dulwich College, London, Queens' College, Cambridge, and later the University of York. Some of Swift's books have been filmed, including "Waterland" (1992), "Shuttlecock" (1993), "Last Orders" (1996) and "Mothering Sunday" (2021). His novel "Last Orders" was joint-winner of the 1996 James Tait Black Memorial Prize for fiction and a controversial winner of the 1996 Booker Prize, owing to the many similarities in plot and structure to William Faulkner's "As I Lay Dying". ***'"Learning to Swim and Other Stories" is the first collection of stories by English author Graham Swift published in 1982. All eleven stories were first published in British magazines. The collection was well received in England but was not as favourable in America. In Contemporary Authors (V.122) "more than one critic remarked that some of the tales seemed too studied and even uncompelling." Many of his works, especially short stories, leave the reader with many unanswered questions. Most questions are easily answered by considering Swift's work as a whole. "Learning to Swim" is not a collection of happy, light tales. One critic writes, "A list of themes reads like a microcosm of the Sunday morning newspapers: infidelity to partner (three), sexual traumas (two), incest (one), age (three), suspected bestiality (one), murder and mayhem (one)." (Wiki) *** 'An admirable collection. Each story has its subtle nuances of narrative and language which establish a quite distinct character. A most impressive work of fiction.' - The Times (Review quote taken from the front flap of the dustwrapper) ***A nice collectable copy of the first impression of the second edition of Graham Swift's third published book. We also have a near fine copy of the original London Magazine Editions first edition listed on ABE. ***For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only: we will reduce the P & P charge where appropriate - please contact us for postal rates for heavier books and sets etc. Artikel-Nr. 2235z

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