Tortilla Flat by John Steinbeck - 1935

New York: Covici-Friede, 1935. First edition. Hardback. Good/Good. 8" by 5". Ruth Gannett. The first edition of this novel by Pulitzer-prize-winning author, John Steinbeck. Book is first edition. Dustwrapper is first edition, fourth printing. Illustrated throughout by Ruth Gannett. The novel was the author's first clear critical and commercial success. It portrays a group of paisanos - literally, countrymen - a small band of errant friends enjoying life and wine in the days after the end of the Great War. The central character Danny inherits two houses from his grandfather where he and his friends go to live. Danny's house, and Danny's friends, Steinbeck compares to the Round Table, and the Knights of the Round Table. Most of the action is set in the time of Steinbeck's own late teenage and young adult years, shortly after World War I. In a cloth binding with original unclipped dustwrapper. Externally, sound, though with some marks and some bumping. Dustwrapper is sound, though with some slight discolouration and edgewear. Tape repairs to the reverse of the wrap. Internally, generally firmly bound. Hinges are strained, with front endpaper missing. Ink signature to front pastedown. Pages are bright, though with some scattered instances of foxing. Good