The Habit of Being. By Flannery O’Connor. First Edition, First Printing. Farrar, Straus, Giroux. New York, 1979.

Southern Gothic author Flannery O’Connor produced roughly three dozen short stories, two novels, and various other essays during her brief literary career. Her work is characterized by its seemingly cynical portraits, its poignant realities, and the elegance of its descriptions and characterizations. O’Connor was a writer of grace, but she also recognized the uncomfortable truths of our personalities and behaviors. Her style and contributions have elevated her as one of the best short story writers from the last 100 years. She was awarded the National Book Award posthumously in 1972. In The Habit of Being, O’Connor’s letters are compiled in what is probably her most revealing volume. Organized by time period, these letters showcase the relationships, triumphs, and challenges of O’Connor’s life in her own words. They are exceptionally well-written. For any O’Connor collector, it is an essential volume.

This first edition, first printing is in about-fine condition. In the original cloth, near-fine with only very minor rubbing and fading to edges. Text block near-fine, only minor soiling to edges. In the original dust jacket, about-fine with only minor doing and rubbing to edges.

An about-fine first edition of The Habit of Being.