The Crying of Lot 49. By Thomas Pynchon. First Edition, First Printing. Lippincott. Philadelphia, 1966.

Thomas Pynchon is probably the most highly regarded postmodernist in American literary history. He packs his prose with allusion, parody, and stylistic shifts–often within the confines of single paragraphs, single lines–making him one of the more difficult authors of the last century. For his innovations, he is considered emblematic of the postmodern literary period. The Crying of Lot 49 is his shortest book-length work. Yet it is no less rich in its postmodern conventions. It contains numerous allusions, references, and stylistic shifts–all wrapped into what has been described as a thriller-like plot. Initial reviews were mixed, but over time The Crying of Lot 49 has received outstanding praise. It is often ranked high among the best novels of the twentieth century. It is without question one of Pynchon’s most popular works.

This first edition, first printing is in near-fine condition. In the original quarter cloth, near-fine with only minor fading and soiling to edges. Text block fine. Former owner’s signature to front free endpaper. In the original dust jacket, fine.

An near-fine first edition of The Crying of Lot 49.