THE HOUSE OF THE SPIRITS

New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1985. First printing. Very good.. Uncorrected proofs for the first US edition of Allende's debut novel, a multigenerational saga and classic of magic realism. In a later interview, Allende recalled the circumstances of her first novel's composition: "I started my first novel, 'The House of the Spirits,' on January 8, 1981 because I was living in exile in Venezuela and my grandfather was dying in Chile. And I could not return to be with him, so I started a letter for him that turned into 'The House of the Spirits,' [...] a very successful book." 8.25'' x 5.25''. Original printed grey wrappers. 353, [1] pages. Light edgewear, minor soil, sunning to spine.