Pynchon, Thomas

8vo (8 7/8 x 6 in.; 227 x 153 mm). Original blue printed wrappers; subscription label on upper cover, top portion of upper cover somewhat faded. 

Condition as described in catalogue entry.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

THOMAS PYNCHON'S FIRST PUBLISHED SHORT STORY, which appeared shortly before he graduated from Cornell University in spring 1959.

The story was not collected until it appeared in Slow Learner in 1984. In the introduction to that volume, Pynchon wrote of the story, "Most of what I dislike about my writing is present here in embryo. I failed to recognize, just for openers, that the main character's problem was real and interesting enough to generate a story on its own. Apparently I felt I had to put on a whole extra overlay of rain images and references to 'The Waste Land' and A Farewell to Arms. I was operating on the motto 'Make it literary,' a piece of bad advice I made up all by myself and then took."

In addition to being one of only five contributors to the Spring 1959 issue of the Cornell Writer, Pynchon is also listed on the masthead as a member of the editorial board. "The Small Rain" comprises 19 pages of the 32-page publication.