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Blatnik, Andrej (Translated by Tamara Soban) : Skinswaps

Northwestern University Press, Evanston, IL, 1998

ISBN 0810116561

First Edition / First Printing. Fine in No Dust Jacket, As Issued. 112 pages. The author's first book to be translated into English. One of the finest literary collections of our time. The first appearance of the title in English and in the United States. Precedes and should not be confused with all other subsequent editions. Published in a small and limited first print run as part of the "Writings From An Unbound Europe" Series as a hardcover original. Copies of the First Hardcover Edition went to library collections. The regular trade edition is a softcover original only. The Hardcover Edition is now rare. Presents Andrej Blatnik's "Menjave koz" in a felicitous English translation. Now-classic collection of short stories. "An epigraph to this collection ('the world is getting smaller with every second we breathe') aptly describes the sensibility of this Slovenian writer. Not only does he specialize in miniatures (these stories are under two pages) but he often puts life under a microscope. The tales are finely honed, often comic pieces ranging from aphorisms to spare dialogues. The recognizably European characters mix philosophy, eroticism, and grit, returning repeatedly to themes of death, betrayal, and the fragility of the individual's hold on reality. Blatnik's craftsmanship and modern flair direct our attention repeatedly to what is small, strange, and essential in the world around us" (Publishers Weekly). The Central European literary tradition is critically regarded as "literature on a grand scale" (Susan Sontag), as "the greatest European writing of our time" (Columbia University). An absolute "must-have" title for Andrej Blatnik collectors. This copy is very prominently and beautifully signed, placed, and dated in blue ink-pen on the title page by the author: "Andrej Blatnik NY, 29/4/11". It is signed directly on the page itself, not on a tipped-in page. Blatnik made a rare appearance at the 2011 PEN World Festival. Laid-in is a copy of the 60-page Souvenir Program. This title is a contemporary classic. As far as we know, this is the only such signed, placed, and dated copy of the First American Hardcover Edition/First Printing available online and is in especially fine condition: Clean, crisp, and bright, a pristine beauty. Please note: Copies available online have serious flaws, are subsequent printings, or are remainder-marked. This is surely an accessible and lovely alternative. A rare signed copy thus. One of the most brilliant writers of our time. A fine copy. (SEE ALSO OTHER ANDREJ BLATNIK TITLE IN OUR CATALOG). ISBN 0810116561.

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