ON CHESIL BEACH: A NOVEL by McEwan, Ian - 2007

New York City, NY: Doubleday Books, 2007. First Edition. First Printing.. Hardcover. Fine/Fine Dust Jacket.. New York City, NY: Doubleday Books, 2007. Hardcover. Fine/Fine. First Edition/First Printing. 210 pages. The author's tenth novel. Now considered a contemporary classic. The first appearance of the title in the United States. 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. The First Edition is now scarce. Presents Ian McEwan's "On Chesil Beach". His novella-length novel, one of his most luminous achievements. It is called a novella in some quarters because it is only 210 pages long, as if a book's length were decisive in any way about the author's intention, concept, and realization. Most 900-page efforts are dismal failures because they are overwritten and need a ruthless editor. Just as the slim "Amsterdam" is a full-fledged novel, "On Chesil Beach" is a novel in the best sense of the word: "This achingly beautiful narrative, which seamlessly flows between the points-of-view of the two primary characters, peers behind closed doors at a young married couple on their honeymoon night. The time is the brink of the 1960's, but the young couple's virginity seems a remnant of Victorian times rather than anticipating the free and easy sexuality of the decade to come. The cataclysmic moment is a case of premature ejaculation during the couple's first lovemaking. From that incident, which under normal circumstances, with normally accepting and loving individuals, would have been a minor glitch in their marital history, immediately arises a deep misunderstanding that proves disastrous to the marriage" (Booklist) . The story is familiar and all-too-real. As always with McEwan, it is the telling that matters and makes all the difference. "McEwan is one of the finest literary storytellers alive. He implants in the memory a living, flaming presence" (The New Republic) . An absolute "must-have" title for Ian McEwan collectors. This title is a contemporary classic. This is one of few copies of the First Hardcover Edition/First Printing (American) still 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 scarce copy thus. Winner of the Somerset Maugham Award in 1976. Winner of the Booker Prize in 1998 for "Amsterdam". Winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award in 2002 for "Atonement". One of the greatest writers of our time. A fine copy. (SEE ALSO OTHER IAN MCEWAN TITLES IN OUR CATALOG). ISBN 0385522401.