Ghost Story
New York: Coward, McCann & Geoghegan, 1979. Stated First edition. Hardcover in an unclipped jacket. Gray paper boards with black cloth spine, Gold gilt titles on the spine. Author's facsimile signature stamped on the front board. This book is from the library of noted Colorado collector Mark Harms."
Adapted into a 1981 film starring Fred Astaire. This book is from the library of noted Colorado collector Mark Harms." Influenced by Hawthorne, James and Lovecraft and other classic American supernatural fiction and winner of the British Fantasy Award for Best Novel in 1980. Barron (ed), Horror Literature 4-286. Survey of Modern Fantasy Literature II, pp. 607-11.
In an interesting anecdote, the later paperback publication of Ghost Story contains a noticeable change in the name of the occult order mentioned on page 204. Here is the explanation from Mr. Straub taken from an online posting to a fan group.
"I learned about the OTO from Ed Sanders's book about the Manson family without realizing that Sanders was describing merely the Solar Lodge of that organization. After getting into trouble with the law, the Solar Lodge broke up and some of its leaders fled into Mexico. I assumed that the OTO was no more and used its name in my book. While the typescript was being edited, the New York chapter of the OTO got wind of my use of the name and wrote a very reasonable letter of protest. Incredibly, my editor discarded the letter without ever telling me about it. About six or seven months after the book was published, I was sued by the OTO chapter in Oakland, California. (The New York chapter contained some fans of mine and took no action at all.) They wanted a fortune. My business manager lawyer went to Oakland and worked out a deal: I changed the name in the paperback and bought them a new printing press, and everybody was happy. The publisher immediately agreed to split the cost of the printing press with me." Google group, alt.books.peter-straub, December 2, 1999 Very good. Some light age tanning to the upper edges / Near Fine. Light age toning to the flaps. Presented in a clear mylar cover. Item #330
Price: $80.00