The Night of the Hunter

273 pages. Octavo (8 1/4" x 5 3/4") bound in original publisher's quarter black cloth with white lettering to spine over blue boards in original jacket. Signed with a reduced reproduction of the movie poster and Signature cards of three of the movie actors: Robert Mitchum, Shelly Winters and Lillian Gish. First edition.

One of 1000 copies only specially autographed by the author for presentation to friends of the author and publisher. Issued without a dust jacket this one has the addition of a special dust jacket with advance reviews from booksellers and publisher on the back of the jacket.

The Night of the Hunter is a 1953 thriller novel by American author Davis Grubb. The book was a national bestseller and was voted a finalist for the 1955 National Book Award. Murderous ex-convict Harry Powell misrepresents himself as a prison chaplain upon his release from prison. Acting on a story told to him by his now-dead cellmate, "Reverend" Powell cons the cellmate's widow into marrying him in hopes that her children will tell him where their father hid the money from his last robbery. After killing their mother, Willa Harper, he embarks on a hunt for the children, who have sensed his evil and are running from him. Grubb explores the presentation of the American South during the Great Depression. He uses tropes of the Southern Gothic genre to explore issues such as social corruption and instability. In 1955, the book was adapted by Charles Laughton and James Agee as the film The Night of the Hunter. The film version has earned ranks in numerous movie lists and was added to the National Film Registry in 1992. Despite its critical success, it remains the only film ever directed by Laughton. The stars of the movie were Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters and Lillian Gish.

Condition:

Previous owner's small book plate on front head gutter of pastedown. Jacket with a small closed tear at back head edge and rubbing to spine head else a near fine copy in like jacket.