THE RATS (First paperback edition - third printing)

James Herbert

Verlag: New English Library / NEL, London, E.C.1, 1976

A third printing of the first UK paperback edition, with 'First NEL paperback edition November 1974, New Edition July 1976, Reprinted September 1976' on the printer's page. The book was also published in hardback with a very small print-run by N.E.L. in 1974. ***Very good in illustrated card covers. The covers are clean, with just some light marks and creasing commensurate with age and handling. The creasing mainly affects the corners and the top corner of the page block, but there is no serious creasing, and no tears to the covers. Light vertical reading crease to the spine. Internally the book is also very good, with no inscriptions and no creases or tears. There is a small ink line on the last printed page, and the paper stock is lightly tanned as usual. (please see scans) ***175 pages. 178mm x 105mm. ***'"The Rats" (1974) is a horror novel by British writer James Herbert. This was Herbert's first novel and included graphic depictions of death and mutilation. A film adaptation was made in 1982, called Deadly Eyes. A 1985 adventure game for the Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum based on the book was published by Hodder & Stoughton Ltd and produced by GXT (Five Ways Software). "The Rats" was followed by three sequels, "Lair" (1979), "Domain" (1984) and "The City" (1993) (the last one was a graphic novel). All three books were sold as a trilogy and were very well received by the public and horror fans. Herbert became inspired to write "The Rats" in early 1972, while watching Tod Browning's Dracula; specifically, after seeing the scene in which Renfield describes his recurring nightmare about hordes of rats. Linking the film to childhood memories he had of rats in London's East End. Herbert stated in later interviews that he wrote the book primarily as a pastime: "It seemed like a good idea at the time, I was as naive as that." The manuscript was typed by Herbert's wife Eileen, who sent it off after nine months to nine different publishers.' (Wiki) ***'London is struck by an invasion. Women, children, old and young, none are safe from the deadly menace. The attacks are swift and sure, escape is impossible. A state of emergency is declared. Evacuation seems the only solution in the face of a growing panic and mounting death toll. War is declared on the public enemy number one --- The Rats!.' (Quote taken from the back cover) ***An early third printing of the first UK paperback edition of "The Rats", published a couple of years after the first printing. James Herbert's classic debut novel, in nice collectable condition. Early printings are hard to come by now, especially in such undamaged condition, with no ownership marks. An iconic title. ***For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only: we will reduce the P & P charge where appropriate - please contact us for postal rates for heavier books and sets etc. Bestandsnummer des Verkäufers PB611

Bibliografische Details

Titel: THE RATS (First paperback edition - third ...
Verlag: New English Library / NEL, London, E.C.1
Erscheinungsdatum: 1976
Einband: Original Wraps
Zustand: Very Good
Zustand des Schutzumschlags: No Jacket, as Issued
Auflage: First UK Paperback Edition