Penelope Mortimer — The Pumpkin Eater

London, Hutchinson , 1962 . First edition. Cloth. A signed first edition of Mortimer"s best-known novel, a presentation copy inscribed by the author and complete with the original unclipped dust wrapper. In the publisher's original dark cloth binding.  First edition.  Complete with the original unclipped dust wrapper.  Signed and inscribed by Penelope Mortimer to the front free endpaper: "Paul and Jay, with much love and deep thanks Penelope, October 1963." Penelope Mortimer"s best-known novel, widely read as semi-autobiographical. A sharp psychological portrait of marriage and motherhood.  The novel was later adapted for the 1964 film directed by Jack Clayton, with a screenplay by Harold Pinter and starring Anne Bancroft and Peter Finch.  In the publisher's original cloth binding. Externally, very smart. Author's presentation inscription to front free endpaper. One or two light spots to endpapers. Dust wrapper, smart. Slight discolouration and spotting to perimeters. One or two minors spots of damp staining. Small closed tear towards front joint. Slight edge wear to wraps resulting in one or two chips and creases. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright and clean with very slight age toning and one or two very light spots to fore edge. Near Fine . Ill.: None. Near Fine/Very Good.