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Jackson, Shirley.
THE SUNDIAL.
New York: Farrar, Straus and Cudahy,
[1958]. Octavo, quarter cloth with boards. First edition.
Presentation copy with signed inscription by Jackson on front free end paper: "For Isabel Sherword - / Gratefully, / Shirley Jackson." THE SUNDIAL, "one of the most bizarre works in Jackson's oeuvre, seems to have been a prelude to WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN THE CASTLE: the Halloran family becomes convinced that the rest of the world is going to end, and the narrative tone suggests that this belief might in fact be correct; the novel is occupied with the family's preparations to continue life after the rest of humanity has ceased to exist. Both these novels, as well as a number of short stories - especially the celebrated 'One Ordinary Day, with Peanuts' (1955) - display the misanthropy that is a central element of Jackson's work, and one which she conveys with consummate skill... All Jackson's work - with the exception, perhaps of THE BIRD'S NEST, a clumsy novel about multiple personality - is subtle, powerful and flawlessly written; it reveals Jackson's keen insight into human personality and human society and her cynical, even jaundiced view of the world and its occupants. She has left a legacy of complex, richly textured horror writing that requires little or no bloodletting for its haunting effectiveness." - S. T. Joshi, Pringle (ed), St. James Guide to Horror, Ghost & Gothic Writers, p. 292. Barron (ed), Horror Literature 4-156. Tymn (ed), Horror Literature 4-120. Winter list, p. 269. A fine copy in fine dust jacket with touch of wear at tail of spine panel. A sharp copy. Books signed or inscribed by Jackson are uncommon.
[Book #10274]
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