'Salem's Lot

Garden City, New York: Doubleday & Company, 1975. Early book club edition with original first edition book and wrapper design with code 1518 at back flap. 1975 at copyright; no other dates. "A New Novel by the Author of Carrie". Blood red boards, smooth leather-like spine wrap, gilt impressed spine titles, light shelf wear. Deckled pages, near fine. Bind fine, square; hinges intact. Dust wrapper slight shelf wear; protected in new clear sleeve. Very attractive. Features the original jacket illustration by Dave Christensen with bold white and orange titles over black with quiet hamlet pictured at center of the "O". Back panel with review blurbs for this title. One of Stephen King's true classics, where he offers an interpretation of Bram Stoker's Dracula. In SK's second published novel he describes Salem's Lot as a town first touched by an evil and horrific murder-suicide involving a prominent citizen - and former hitman - named Hubie Marston. And, now overlooked by this empty and terrible house. The village has its collection of small-town secrets and moral corruptions, though, and is finally invaded by a Vampiric plague, starting with the shadowy new owner of the Marston House, Richard Straker, and his familiar, Kurt Barlow. Another new resident, writer Ben Mears who grew up in the town, joins with a local doctor, a teacher, and young Mark Petrie to fight against the town's demise. Salem's Lot knew darkness and the awful, heavy silence of terrifying images grotesquely dancing in and out of the shadows. Stark, white faces, huge, glowing eyes and long, gnarled hands that reached out with lustful insistence. The paralyzing fear of a diabolical corruption and hideous peril more dreadful than death. But, no one in Salem's Lot dared to speak of the high, sweet, evil laughter of a child, and the terrible sucking sounds... Larger 5 3/4" x 8 1/2" design. 405 pages. Insured post.. Hardcover. Fine/Fine. Illus. by Christensen, Dave (Jacket Illustration). 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Book.