"THE WORLD WAS FULL OF MONSTERS, AND THEY WERE ALLOWED TO BITE THE INNOCENT AND THE UNWARY"

KING, Stephen. Cujo. New York: Viking, (1981). Octavo, original half black cloth, original dust jacket. $2100.

First trade edition of "perhaps the cruelest [and] most disturbing" Stephen King novel, boldly inscribed by him in the year of publication, "For Betty—With good wishes, Stephen King 8/16/81."

On the publication of Cujo, The New York Times praised it as "perhaps the cruelest, most disturbing tale of horror King's written yet… He certainly hits the jugular with Cujo." In this return to a Maine setting after King's Colorado novels, "Cujo represents the fullest and most complete elaboration of King's 'myth of Maine' to date… In this novel King has… come fully into his own" (Underwood & Miller, 56-61). Basis for the 1983 film directed by Lewis Teague. First trade edition, first issue with no indication of later printings on the copyright page; first issue dust jacket with $13.95 price and "0981" code on front flap. Published the same year as a signed limited edition of 750 numbered copies and 26 lettered copies. Brooks A13.

A fine copy.