Garden City, Doubleday, 1973. Her first book, a novel, which was nominated for the National Book Award. Inscribed by Williams to William Styron, with a quote from Job: "to William Styron/ our 'children are far from safety and they are crushed in the gate.'/ To the Best/ Joy Williams/ February, 1986." By the time of this inscription, Williams had had three books published; Styron had won both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. The inscription is on the second half title; the book is also signed in full again by Williams on the title page. A Key West address is written on the front flyleaf in Styron's hand. Williams and Styron both appeared at the Key West Literary Seminar, but not until 1991. Wear to the lower spine cloth, near fine in a near fine dust jacket with black ink added at the lower spine. A nice literary association copy of her first book. [#030150] SOLD