TRAGIC MAGIC - 1978

New York: Random House, 1978. First edition (stated). Very good in very good jacket.. Inscribed first printing of Brown's acclaimed first novel, edited and championed by Toni Morrison. First novel by the writer, playwright, and professor, praised on its initial publication by James Baldwin, Donald Barthelme, and Brown's own editor, Toni Morrison, and recently brought back into print by McSweeney's as the first book in their Of the Diaspora series. A civil rights activist, onetime member of the Black Panther Party, and objector to the Vietnam War, Brown drew on some aspects of these experiences and the political turmoil of the times: In TRAGIC MAGIC's poetic, non-linear narrative, Melvin Ellington-former radical, just released from prison for being a conscientious objector-searches to re-establish himself and come to terms with his old relationships and principles. On the connection between art and life, Brown said in one contemporary interview: "If I could explain things, at least to myself, then I would have more of a handle on my life and not be at the mercy of things." 8.25'' x 5.5''. Original quarter black cloth with bright yellow boards. In original unclipped ($7.95) dust jacket, designed by Mark Huie. [6], 169, [1] pages. Inscribed by the author on front free endpaper: "To Anton, Part of this book was born in that apartment of yours near La Famille. Wesley 10/15/78 [address and phone number]." Ink numbers on rear endpaper. Book with some soiling to boards. Jacket a bit worn at edges, with shallow chip to edge of front flap and a bit of darkening to yellow.