S, John Updike — 1st Edition

Name: S, John Updike — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6960
Price: 14.10 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, André Deutsch, 1988

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 244.

Condition Report: Near Fine. A bright, sharp, and highly presentable copy. The publisher's original purple cloth binding remains remarkably tight and square, entirely free from bumping or shelf-wear, with the gilt tooling to the spine remaining distinctly bright and unoxidised. The page block is clean and crisp, demonstrating no signs of reading wear, foxing, or toning. The original dust jacket is equally impressive, retaining its original gloss and deep colour palette without fading or notable edge-wear, now protected in a clear, removable archival sleeve.

Catalogue Note: This is the true first UK edition, first printing, issued by André Deutsch in the same year as the American first edition by Knopf.

While Updike’s works from this period were printed in large, commercial runs, rendering standard trade copies widely available on the open market, it is increasingly uncommon to encounter a copy that has avoided the typical fading and edge-wear associated with 1980s dust jackets. Bound in the publisher's striking purple cloth, this exact first British printing stands as a sharp, collector-grade example of Updike’s late-twentieth-century output.

In S, John Updike presents a masterful epistolary novel exploring the intersection of American privilege and Eastern spirituality. The narrative follows Sarah Worth, a wealthy New England woman who abruptly leaves her husband and comfortable life to join a Hindu ashram in the Arizona desert. Through a series of letters and audio recordings sent back to her family, friends, and financial advisors, Sarah’s evolving—and frequently hypocritical, spiritual awakening is laid bare. Updike’s sharp, satirical prose captures the zeitgeist of the 1980s cult movement while offering a nuanced, deeply ironic character study of a woman seeking liberation in all the wrong places.

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: John Updike

Book Publisher: André Deutsch

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Modern Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages:

Book Publication Year: 1988

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Bury St Edmunds, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.