WESLEY, Mary ~ Jumping the Queue. Signed, with letter.

FIRST UK PRINTING. Macmillan, London: 1983.

8vo., navy publisher's boards, lettered in silver to backstrip with publisher's device to foot; together in the unclipped dustwrapper (£7.95 net) featuring an illustration of 'The Sea' by L. S. Lowry; THE BOOK near-fine, small bruise to head of spine; a couple of rust spots to rear free endpaper; the text block evenly toned; the essentially fine DUSTWRAPPER just a touch creased at edges. The wrapper is protected in a removable Brodart archival cover. First UK edition, first printing. This copy signed by the author 'To Mike and Noel', together with a lengthy letter to another fan, 'John', written on two sides of A4 paper and together in the original stamped addressed envelope. "Writing is a solitary occupation" Wesley writes, "and once the book is launched on the public I suffer agonies of nerves, and the agonies are much assuaged by kind words from readers". The author also refers to the upcoming BBC television adaptation, saying that they are "at this very moment filming in Cornwall near Liskeard...and then London. It is to be a three parter (3 hours). Sheila Hancock plays Matilda..." The series later appeared in 1989. The tragi-comedy follows the protagonist as she sets off for the beach 'armed with a bottle of Beaujolais and a gourmet's picnic' with the intention of suicide. Instead, she meets a suspected killer on the run, raising a series of difficult questions and the possibility of a new life for them both. A lovely example.

BINDING: Hardcover
CONDITION: Near Fine
JACKET: Fine