The Sandcastle. A Novel. Murdoch, Iris.

First edition, first impression, inscribed by the author the month after publication on the front free endpaper, "With love from Iris, June 1957". This early publication was her third book. The publisher Norah Smallwood thought it "probably Iris Murdoch's most popular novel as far as sales were concerned" (cited in Fletcher). In its review of the work, The Times described Murdoch as "the most gifted of young English novelists. No other novelist now writing in England except Elizabeth Bowen can match her in her ability to draw characters completely and then show what happens when their sandcastles are swept by the tides in the affairs of women and men". Fletcher A0391. Charles Poore, "Books of The Times", The Times, 7 May 1957. Octavo. Original green boards, spine lettered in gilt. With dust jacket. Bump to spine ends, contents clean; unclipped jacket nicked at ends and corners, small chip and crease to foot of front panel: a near-fine copy in very good jacket.