"THE WORLD WAS FULL OF MONSTERS . . .": CUJO, INSCRIBED BY STEPHEN KING

KING, Stephen. Cujo. New York: Viking, (1981). Octavo, original half black cloth, original dust jacket. $4000.

First trade edition of "perhaps the cruelest [and] most disturbing" Stephen King novel, inscribed by him on the title page, "With best wishes, Stephen King 4/14/94."

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). King himself said the book "feels like a brick thrown through somebody's window, like a really invasive piece of work.. . . . it's short and it's mean" (Rogak, Haunted Heart, 113). 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.

Mild spotting to text block edges; slight rubbing to dust jacket spine head and foot. A near-fine inscribed copy.