The Buddha of Suburbia, by Hanif Kureishi, Faber and Faber, 1990 first edition

Hanif Kureishi's debut novel follows Karim Amir, a teenager of mixed English and Indian parentage, as he negotiates family life, sexuality and the lure of the theatre in 1970s suburban London. Funny, provocative and sharply observed, it was adapted into a four-part BBC television serial in 1993, starring Naveen Andrews and featuring music by David Bowie. Emma Rice subsequently adapted it for the stage with Kureishi, in a production first presented by the RSC and Wise Children in 2024. This first edition features Peter Blake's rather wonderful dustjacket illustration. The Buddha of Suburbia, by Hanif Kureishi. This copy comes from the personal library of the distinguished theatre director, writer and biographer Alan Strachan (1944-2025), acquired directly from his former home in Invergowrie, although it does not bear his ownership signature. Published by Faber and Faber Limited, London. 1990 first edition, first impression. A near fine hardback in a near fine dustjacket. Black cloth hardback with silvered title to spine. Dustjacket is unclipped and bearing original UK price of £12.99. Jacket with light rubbing. The jacket now housed in clear, protective, removable plastic sleeve. Text is bright and clean, with age-toning to margins and edges (as is usually the case with this title due to the type of paper used). Binding straight and sound. Text in English. 284pp. Dimensions: approximately 240mm high x 162mm wide x 30mm deep. Weight: Approximately 560g (unpacked).