Here is one of Joyce Carol Oates most moving novels. It is based on the life experiences of a woman that Oates met when she was teaching English at the University of Detroit. She describes this novel as a "history in fictional form". This is the only novel by Joyce Carol Oates that is prefaced by an author's note which shares some of the background of the novel and gives some details as to the novel's construction. This is one of the Franklin Deluxe editions with the tissue guard protecting the author's signature. The book is in Fine condition but for some very light spotting to the gilt on the top-edge. Published in 1979 this beautiful book is bound in full leather with ornate gilt ornamentation to both boards as well as the spine. The spine has raised hubs in the tradition of classic bookbinding and there is a fine satin bookmark sewn-in to the book. This edition, published by the Franklin Library is gilt on all edges. It contains a special introduction from Joyce Carol Oates that appears in no other edition of this title. We are pleased to send pictures on request.