The Ink Truck. By William Kennedy. First Edition, First Printing. Dial Press. New York, 1969.

William Kennedy’s career was defined by a remarkable talent for combining history, dark humor, and superb storytelling. He began as a journalist in the 1950s and 60s, working at papers in Puerto Rico, New York, and Florida. In the late 1960s, however, his focus became book-length works of fiction and non-fiction. He went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1983. Yet his literary career would not have been possible without his first novel: The Ink Truck, a humorous–and at times, absurd–narrative telling the story of a newspaper strike in an American city. It showcased Kennedy’s imaginative, sarcastic perspective. Parts of the work are shocking, but always with a comedic edge.

This first edition, first printing is in very good condition. In the original cloth, very nearly fine with only minor bumping to spine ends and corners. Text block very good, only soiling to edges. In the original dust jacket, very good with only closed tears and chipping to edges and fading and rubbing to spine.

A very good first edition of The Ink Truck.