Click for full-size.
THE HANDMAID'S TALE - INSCRIBED TO WALTER MILLER, JR.
by Atwood, Margaret
- Used
- Hardcover
- Signed
- Condition
- See description
- Seller
-
Stephenson, Virginia, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1986. Atwood's chilling dystopian novel, set in "a world ruled by militaristic fundamentalists in which sexual pleasure is forbidden. Conception and childbirth have become difficult and the handmaid of the title belongs to a special breeding stock. The story is annotated by a historian of the future, whose shape is not revealed" (Barron, Anatomy of Wonder 4-31). Winner of the Governor General's Award, the first Arthur C. Clarke Award, and a nominee for both the 1986 Booker Prize and Nebula Award. A compelling presentation copy inscribed to Miller (1923-1996), best known for his 1959 novel A Canticle for Leibowitz, set in a Catholic monastery 600 years after World War III, as civilization rebuilds itself. It remains a cornerstone work in the genre, winning the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 1961. Miller's treatment of religion and church vs. state likely resonated with Atwood, who tackled those themes at length in her novel. A distinguished copy, connecting two significant figures in the world of dystopian fiction. Second Printing. Octavo (23.25cm); gray paper and turquoise cloth-covered boards, with titles stamped in silver on spine; dustjacket; [viii],[2],3-311,[1]pp. Inscribed by the author on the front endpaper in a contemporary hand to science fiction author Walter M. Miller, Jr.: "For Walter Miller / with thanks for your writing / Margaret Atwood." Forward lean, hint of foxing to backstrip and text edges, else clean internally; Very Good+ in a Near Fine dustjacket, unclipped (priced $16.95), with just a hint of foxing to flap folds and on verso. Housed in a custom clamshell case.
Synopsis
The Handmaid’s Tale is a dystopian novel written by Margaret Atwood in 1985. It depicts a totalitarian world known as Gilead, portraying the subjection of women in a patriarchal society. The near-future New England setting illustrates a bleak portrayal of the world after the United States is overthrown by a fundamentalist group. Society is reorganized by the regime using a peculiar interpretation of some Old Testament ideas, and a new militarized, hierarchical model of social and religious fanaticism among its newly created social classes. The novel follows the story of a young woman, Offred, who struggles to maintain her identity. It depicts the rebellion of the women in her social class as their ability to read, write, own property, or handle money are lost. Most significantly, women are deprived of control over their own reproductive functions. The Handmaid's Tale was nominated for the first-ever Man Booker International Prize representing the best writers in contemporary fiction. Margaret Atwood is the author of more than 35 internationally acclaimed works of fiction, poetry, and critical essays. Her numerous awards include the Governor General’s Award for The Handmaid’s Tale , and The Giller Prize and Italian Premio Mondello for Alias Grace . The Handmaid’s Tale , Cat’s Eye , Alias Grace , and Oryx and Crake were all shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, which she won with The Blind Assassin . She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, and has been awarded the Norwegian Order of Literary Merit and the French Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres among many others; she is a Foreign Honorary Member for Literature of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She lives in Toronto.
Read More: Identifying first editions of THE HANDMAID'S TALE - INSCRIBED TO WALTER MILLER, JR.
Reviews
(Log in or Create an Account first!)
Details
- Bookseller
- Captain Ahab's Rare Books
(US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 7031
- Title
- THE HANDMAID'S TALE - INSCRIBED TO WALTER MILLER, JR.
- Author
- Atwood, Margaret
- Book Condition
- Used
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Publisher
- Houghton Mifflin Company
- Place of Publication
- Boston
- Date Published
- 1986
Terms of Sale
Captain Ahab's Rare Books
30 day return guarantee, with full refund including original shipping costs for up to 30 days after delivery if an item arrives misdescribed or damaged.
About the Seller
Captain Ahab's Rare Books
Biblio member since 2010
Stephenson, Virginia
About Captain Ahab's Rare Books
Founded in 2010, Captain Ahab's Rare Books specializes in first editions of literature, genre fiction, film-related books and ephemera, zines, manuscript and archival material.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Fine
- A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...
- Inscribed
- When a book is described as being inscribed, it indicates that a short note written by the author or a previous owner has been...
- Octavo
- Another of the terms referring to page or book size, octavo refers to a standard printer's sheet folded four times, producing...
- Verso
- The page bound on the left side of a book, opposite to the recto page.
- Edges
- The collective of the top, fore and bottom edges of the text block of the book, being that part of the edges of the pages of a...
- Good+
- A term used to denote a condition a slight grade better than Good.
Frequently asked questions
This Book’s Categories
Collecting Vintage Valentine’s Day Cards
Exchanging Valentines can be an awkward process, especially when you consider “Vinegar Valentines” and other snarky sentiments - whatever your tastes, enjoy the sweet and sour cards alike in this gallery!
Beat Poet Michael McClure
From the fateful reading at Six-Gallery in 1955 to his novels, poetry, and stage productions, Michael McClure was right in the thick of the Beat Generation as it was born. See his books and art and learn more about the works of Michael McClure.
