Irving, John - The World According to Garp - E.P. Dutton: New York, 1978 - First Edition / First Printing / Advance Reading Copy (ARC) - Complete number line, starting with “1”, present on the copyright pages as required in order to denote the first printing of the first edition. ARC in wraps as issued. Preceding all commercially available editions.
“If you are careful,' Garp wrote, 'if you use good ingredients, and you don't take any shortcuts, then you can usually cook something very good. Sometimes it is the only worthwhile product you can salvage from a day; what you make to eat. With writing, I find, you can have all the right ingredients, give plenty of time and care, and still get nothing. Also true of love. Cooking, therefore, can keep a person who tries hard sane.”
The book has soiling, rubbing, creasing and rolling to the spine, and some other wear. This example has been boldly signed on the half title page by Irving. All together a solid and attractive example of this fragile advance reading copy of Irving’s first commercially successful novel which is rather scarce to encounter signed. Basis for the beloved 1982 film adaptation of the same title which starred Robin Williams as Garp.