"AN ACCIDENT IS SOMETIMES AN UNHAPPY WOMAN'S BEST FRIEND"

KING, Stephen. Dolores Claiborne. (New York): Viking, (1993). Octavo, original half black cloth, original dust jacket. $1600.

First edition of King's critically praised novel, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper: "For P— W— With best wishes, Stephen King 1/5/93."

Dolores Claiborne, King's haunting story of woman accused of murder, won immediate praise as "powerful… startlingly good" (Time). "King's compassionate observation of a mother who destroys her family to protect her children proves that he can do more than simply frighten readers" (New York Times). King dedicated the novel to his mother, Ruth Pillsbury King, who cared for his "invalid maternal grandmother… for many years, enduring her many demands and abusive tongue" (Complete Guide to Stephen King, 225). Basis for the acclaimed 1995 film by director Taylor Hackford, starring Kathy Bates and Jennifer Jason Leigh. Copyright page with "First published in 1993 by Viking Penguin," although Viking reportedly released the book earlier, in November 1992, perhaps to take advantage of holiday gift buying. Brooks A48.

Book and dust jacket with slight traces of rubbing. An about-fine signed copy.