The Things They Carried, Tim O'Brien. Uncorrected Proof.
The Things They Carried, Tim O'Brien Uncorrected proof of the first edition of one of the defining works of American literature to emerge from the Vietnam War. Through a sequence of interrelated stories, O’Brien deliberately unsettles the boundaries between fiction, autobiography, memory, and invention. The completed book was a finalist for both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award; its title story had previously received the National Magazine Award. Housed in a later custom slipcase covered in striking mottled decorative paper, its black, smoke-gray, and cream cloud pattern forming a particularly effective presentation for the book. Boston: Houghton Mifflin / Seymour Lawrence, 1990. Perfect-bound in the publisher’s cream printed wrappers, “uncorrected proofs” printed at the head of the front wrapper; pp. 273. The front wrapper reproduces a promotional letter from publisher Seymour Lawrence introducing O’Brien and the forthcoming book, concluding with Lawrence’s printed facsimile signature; advance praise and publication information printed on the rear wrapper. In near fine condition with a minor bump to spine crown. Slipcase in fine condition.