Run River

New York: Ivan Obolensky, 1963 First edition, first printing. Publisher's teal cloth, with titles stamped in white to spine; in its original aqua blue dust jacket designed by Anthony Post, lettered in white, yellow, and green, with a photo of Didion attributed to Mellen C. Peirce to rear panel. Near fine book, with light wear to spine ends, and a hint of rubbing to corners; very good price-clipped dust jacket, with a couple of small closed tears to edges, and a crease to rear flap fold. Overall, a charming copy. The author's debut novel, Run River is a family melodrama about the descendants of pioneers that draws heavily on Didion's Sacramento upbringing. In her book of essays Where I Was From (2003), she recalled writing the book as a homesick girl who had recently moved from California to New York. Didion dedicated it to her family and "for N": "N" was writer Noel Parmentel, and the character Ryder Channing was inspired by him. Parmentel was Didion's lover, and considered by many to be the great lost love of her life.. First Edition. Hard Cover. Near Fine/Dust Jacket Included.