Brian Burland — Undertow

London, Barrie & Jenkins, 1971. First edition. Cloth. A very scarce first edition novel by Bermudian author Brian Burland, inscribed by the author at length. The first edition, first impression.A vanishingly scarce novel.Author's presentation copy, inscribed by the author to three places; to the recto of the front endpaper, with doodles of the sea and an aircraft, and "Signed for David + Billie + not to be borrowed"; to the half-title, "This first edition for David + Billie friends of the deepest + best - without whom we could never have made it..always, Brian + Edwin, A Sunny Thursday in Oct at Essex"; and to the title page, "Brian Burland, Essex Conn, Thurs 25th Oct 84". Additionally, author has paginated from the dedication to the quotation leaf (v to ix), as page D, Page A, B, C". In the original unclipped dust wrapper.'Undertow' is set on the author's home island of Bermuda, a riveting tale following "three desperate men and a beautiful and highly intelligent woman determined to fight and beat the system that has made their lives meaningless".Brian Burland was a Bermudian writer, known for his writings on colonialism, race, and family strife. Burland was the first Bermudian novelist to receive international acclaim. In the original publisher's cloth binding, in the original unclipped dust wrapper. Externally, fine. Author's inscription to the recto of the front endpaper. Dust wrapper is smart with very minor edge wear. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean. Author's inscriptions to the half-title, title page, and to v to ix. Fine . Ill.: None. Fine/Fine.