First Impressions
by Lovett, Charlie
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On Nov 11, 2014, CloggieDownunder said
“A good book is like a good friend. It will stay with you for the rest of your life. When you first get to know it, it will give you excitement and adventure, and years later it will provide you with comfort and familiarity. And best of all, you can share it with your children or your grandchildren or anyone you love enough to let into its secrets.” First Impressions is the fourth novel by American writer, teacher and playwright, Charlie Lovett. After Sophie Collingwood’s beloved Uncle Bertram dies, and his treasured book collection is sold off, she eventually consoles herself by working for his favourite bookseller, Augustus Boxhill at Antiquarian Books in London. Quite soon after she starts there, she is presented with a request to source a rare second edition of an obscure little book of allegories written by Reverend Richard Mansfield in 1796. But what is most intriguing is that two different customers ask for the book in fairly quick succession. And, distracting her from her search, two things: the memory of a moonlight kiss from a rather cheeky American, and the nagging feeling that her Uncle’s death was not accidental. The present day narrative alternates with chapters that describe moments in the real and imagined life of Jane Austen as she was about to embark on her second novel, tentatively titled First Impressions; and events in the lives of Richard Mansfield and of a certain eighteenth century printer, Gilbert Monkhouse. Lovett has extensive experience with book collectors, collections and all manner of libraries, and his expertise in antiquarian bookshops and rare editions is apparent on every page. He imparts a wealth of knowledge, about books, about printing and about Jane Austen, and presents it in an easily digestible manner. There are some parallels between the two timelines: an older mentor who dies; the haunting sight of empty bookshelves; and meetings during a waterside stroll. Lovett skilfully blends fact with fiction and the “what if” scenario on which the plot hangs generates more than enough mystery to make this a real page-turner with an exciting climax. Lovett creates a marvellous cast of characters, some of whom will certainly have the reader wondering about their honesty and their motivations. Contrary to her usual behaviour, Sophie finds herself shoplifting a very expensive book, stealing from a library, and breaking into a house, but her reverence at holding a first edition of Pride and Prejudice assures the reader of her pure intentions. Lovett paints Austen as an intelligent, thoughtful young woman with remarkable moral strength and a delightful sense of humour. Those die-hard fans of Austen who recoil at the mere mention of Austen and plagiarism in the same sentence should take heed of a remark Bertram makes to Sophie: ”But the truth and a good story are not always the same thing, now, are they?” The cover of the Text Publishing edition is particularly evocative, and this excellent literary mystery will have readers seeking out more work by this fine author.
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First Impressions: A Novel of Old Books, Unexpected Love, and Jane Austen (Signed)
by Lovett, Charlie
- Condition
- Used - Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Fine
- Edition
- Signed, First Edition, First Printing
- Published
- 2014
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780525427247
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
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Farmington, New Mexico, USA
- Item Price
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NZ$117.87
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SIGNED, FIRST EDITION, FIRST PRINTING (complete number line to 1) New York, Viking, 2014. Signed by the Author directly on the Title Page, no inscription. NEW, Unread. Dust Jacket Fine in Brodart cover, no wear, no tears, not price clipped ($27.95). Boards Fine, no bumps. Text Clean, no marks. Not remainder marked. Not ex-library. Books are Carefully Packed and Shipped… Read more about this item Item Price
NZ$117.87
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First Impressions: A Novel of Old Books // FIRST EDITION // ** S I G N E D **
by Lovett, Charlie
- Condition
- New
- Jacket Condition
- New
- Edition
- 1st Edition
- Published
- 2014
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780525427247
- Quantity Available
- 1
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Redmond, Washington, USA
- Item Price
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NZ$107.76
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Viking, 2014. 1st Edition . Hardcover. New/New. STATED FIRST Edition and FIRST Printing, with publishers full number line on copyright page. *SIGNED* by author DIRECTLY ONTO THE TITLE PAGE, (Signature only). A MINT volume in same condition UNclipped dust jacket. NO markings at all. Author is a former antiquarian bookseller and is/was a member of the (bibliophile)… Read more about this item Item Price
NZ$107.76
First Impressions: A Novel
by Lovett, Charlie
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- Used - Good
- ISBN
- 9780143127727
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- 1
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Frederick, Maryland, USA
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NZ$7.61
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Penguin Books. Used - Good. Good condition. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains. Item Price
NZ$7.61
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First Impressions; A Novel of Old Books, Unexpected Love, and Jane Austen
by Lovett, Charlie
- Condition
- Used - Fine
- Jacket Condition
- fine
- Edition
- First edition. First Printing
- Published
- 2014
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780525427247
- Quantity Available
- 1
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Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA
- Item Price
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NZ$136.39
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New York: Viking Press, 2014. First edition. First Printing. Hardcover. Fine/fine. 308pp. 8vo. Quarter bound paper and cloth over boards, stamped spine. Author's initials stamped on front boards. Author has signed his name to the title page. Book has a complete number line from 1-10, is unread, unmarked, unclipped, tight, bright, and jacket has a Brodart protector. Spine… Read more about this item Item Price
NZ$136.39
First Impressions: A Novel
by Charlie Lovett
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- Used - Very Good
- Edition
- Reprint
- Published
- 2015-09
- Binding
- Trade paperback
- ISBN
- 9780143127727
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CHAPEL HILL, North Carolina, USA
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NZ$20.19
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Trade paperback, VG lightly read condition. No marks, writing, creases or tears. Item Price
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First Impressions: A Novel of Old Books, Unexpected Love, and Jane Austen
by Lovett, Charlie
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780143127727
- Quantity Available
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GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
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NZ$13.54
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Paperback. Good. Item Price
NZ$13.54
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First Impressions
by Lovett, Charlie
- Condition
- Used - Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Near Fine
- Edition
- First edition first printing
- Published
- 2014
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780525427247
- Quantity Available
- 1
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St. Catharines, Ontario, CAN
- Item Price
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NZ$33.68
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First edition first printing of this author's second novel. A bibliomystery in the sense that a recent Oxford Graduate takes a job at a local antiquarian bookshop and then starts to investigate the idea that Jane Austen may have stolen the plot of Pride and Prejudice form a fellow writer. A small sticker scar on the surface of the dustjacket's… Read more about this item Item Price
NZ$33.68
First Impressions: A Novel of Old Books, Unexpected Love, and Jane Austen
by Lovett, Charlie
- Condition
- Used - Near Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Near Fine
- Edition
- 1ST
- Published
- 2014
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780525427247
- Quantity Available
- 1
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CARSON CITY, Nevada, USA
- Item Price
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NZ$25.17
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U.S.A.: Viking, 2014. Book. Near Fine. Hardcover. 1ST. Excellent Copy - A First Edition, First Printing. Book Is In Near Fine Condition. Boards Are Clean, Not Bumped. Fore Edges Have A Tiny Bit Of Shelf Wear. Interior Is Clean And Legible. Not Remaindered. Dust Jacket Is In Near Fine Condition. Not Chipped Or Crinkled. Not Price Clipped. Dust Jacket Is… Read more about this item Item Price
NZ$25.17
First Impressions: A Novel of Old Books, Unexpected Love, and Jane Austen
by Lovett, Charlie
- Condition
- Used - Near Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Near Fine
- Edition
- 1st Edition 1st Printing
- Published
- 2014
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780525427247
- Quantity Available
- 1
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Woodlawn, Illinois, USA
- Item Price
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NZ$33.66
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New York, New York, U.S.A.: Viking, 2014. 1st Edition 1st Printing. Hardcover. Near Fine/Near Fine. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Statement Of First Published And The One Present In The Number Line. The Book Is Bound Within Boards With One Quarter Black Over Light Tan Paper. Copper Lettering And Rules On The Spine. … Read more about this item Item Price
NZ$33.66
First Impressions: A Novel of Old Books, Unexpected Love, and Jane Austen
by Lovett, Charlie
- Condition
- Used - Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Fine
- Edition
- 1st Edition
- Published
- 2014
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
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Whitby, Ontario, CAN
- Item Price
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NZ$44.31
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New York: Viking, 2014. 1st Edition. Hardcover. Fine/Fine. 8vo. Quarter black paper, tan paper boards. 352 pp. Front board slightly bowed and spine slightly tilted, else fine. Sure to delight bibliophiles and Jane Austen fans everywhere, First Impressions is a romantic, suspenseful, and utterly compelling novel about love in all its forms and the joys of a life… Read more about this item Item Price
NZ$44.31
First Impressions : A Novel
by Lovett, Charlie
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- Used - Very Good
- ISBN
- 9780143127727
- Quantity Available
- 1
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Reno, Nevada, USA
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NZ$12.46
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Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Very Good. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Item Price
NZ$12.46
First Impressions: A Novel
by Lovett, Charlie
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Published
- 2015-09-28
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780143127727
- Quantity Available
- 1
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Nashua, New Hampshire, USA
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NZ$10.29
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Penguin Books, 2015-09-28. paperback. Very Good. 0x5x8. Great used condition. A portion of your purchase of this book will be donated to non-profit organizations.Over 1,000,000 satisfied customers since 1997! Choose expedited shipping (if available) for much faster delivery. Delivery confirmation on all US orders. Item Price
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First Impressions : A Novel
by Lovett, Charlie
- Condition
- Used - Good
- ISBN
- 9780143127727
- Quantity Available
- 1
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Mishawaka, Indiana, USA
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NZ$12.14
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Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Item Price
NZ$12.14
First Impressions: A Novel
by Lovett, Charlie
- Condition
- Used:Good
- Edition
- Reprint
- Published
- 2015-09-29
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780143127727
- Quantity Available
- 1
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HOUSTON, Texas, USA
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NZ$40.46
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Penguin Books, 2015-09-29. Reprint. paperback. Used:Good. Item Price
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First Impressions: A Novel of Old Books, Unexpected Love, and Jane Austen
by Lovett, Charlie
- Condition
- Used - Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Fine
- Edition
- 1st Edition
- Published
- 2014
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780525427247
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
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Olathe, Kansas, USA
- Item Price
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NZ$84.14
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Viking, 2014. Book. Fine. Hardcover. Signed by Author(s). 1st Edition. Signed by Charlie Lovet on the title page. First Printing . Item Price
NZ$84.14
FIRST IMPRESSIONS: A NOVEL OF OLD BOOKS, UNEXPECTED LOVE, AND JANE AUSTIN
by Lovett, Charlie
- Condition
- Used
- Published
- 2014
- Binding
- Paper-covered boards, dust jacket
- Quantity Available
- 1
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New Castle, Delaware, USA
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NZ$38.73
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(New York, NY): Viking, 2014. paper-covered boards, dust jacket. Biblio Novel. 8vo. paper-covered boards, dust jacket. (vi), 308 pages. First edition. A novel based on the allegation that Jane Austen stole the plot of Pride and Prejudice. Author's note and acknowledgments follow text. Item Price
NZ$38.73
First Impressions: A Novel of Old Books, Unexpected Love, and Jane Austen
by Lovett, Charlie
- Condition
- Used - Very Good+ in Very Good+ dust jacket
- Edition
- First Edition; First Printing
- Published
- 2014
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN
- 9780525427247
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
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Fayetteville, New York, USA
- Item Price
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NZ$16.84
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Viking. Very Good+ in Very Good+ dust jacket. 2014. First Edition; First Printing. Hardcover. 0525427244 . Height: 9.31 Inches, Length: 6.19 Inches, Weight: 1.1 Pounds, Width: 1.06 I; 320 pages . Item Price
NZ$16.84
First Impressions
by Lovett, Charlie
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Published
- 2015
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780143127727
- Quantity Available
- 1
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Seattle, Washington, USA
- Item Price
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NZ$10.34
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Penguin Books, 2015. Paperback. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed. Item Price
NZ$10.34
First Impressions
by Lovett, Charlie
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- ISBN
- 9780143127727
- Quantity Available
- 1
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Victoria, British Columbia, CAN
- Item Price
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NZ$16.82
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Penguin. Used - Very Good. Item Price
NZ$16.82
First Impressions: A Novel
by Lovett, Charlie
- Condition
- Used: Good
- Edition
- Reprint
- Published
- 2015-09-29
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780143127727
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
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HOUSTON, Texas, USA
- Item Price
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NZ$16.82
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Penguin Books, 2015-09-29. Reprint. paperback. Used: Good. Item Price
NZ$16.82