Play It As It Lays. By Joan Didion. First Edition, First Printing. Farrar, Straus, Giroux. New York, 1970.

Joan Didion was an American author who garnered major acclaim for her contributions to the New Journalism movement in the mid-to-late twentieth century. Her career began with essays in some of the most notable magazines of the period. In the 1960s and 70s, she published several book-length works that are regarded as classics of the era, too. Of her novels, Play It As It Lays stands out for its critical praise and lasting impact. It is known for its depictions of the 1960s counterculture, Hollywood culture, and nihilism more generally. It follows its troubled narrator, Maria Wyeth, through a series of flashbacks and memories about her turbulent life in California. The work is often listed as one of the best of the last 100 years. In 1972, it was adapted to film starring Tuesday Weld and Anthony Perkins, with Didion co-writing the screenplay.

This first edition, first printing is in very good condition. In the original quarter cloth, about-fine with only bumping to spine ends and fading to edges. Text block near-fine, only former owner’s sticker to front free endpaper. In the original dust jacket, very good with soiling and chipping, and creases to inside flaps.

A very good first edition of Play It As It Lays.