New York: Brewer, Warren and Putnam, 1932. First edition. A Fine copy of the book in Near Fine dust jacket. Book with one small bookseller's ticket at the rear paste-down and inoffensive offsetting to the endpapers, aligning with the dust jacket flaps. Spine a trifle toned. First issue dust jacket in excellent, Near Fine condition overall. Jacket is the proper size for the book and the jacket wear matches up to corresponding blemishes in the cloth. A few little nicks at the crown and top front corner, slight rubbing to the rear panel, but an excellent, unrestored copy overall. Jacket designed by Lynd Ward. One of just 650 copies sold of the first edition.

"John Steinbeck's first short story collection, Pastures of Heaven is a cycle of loosely connected short stories typifying Steinbeck's early writing style. Each story is linked to the next by setting and the appearance of the Munroes, a family that comes to live on the abandoned and seemingly cursed Battle Farm in the Pastures. The text offers an in depth exploration of individual and family problems against a backdrop of farming in rural central California...Throughout the book, Steinbeck explores themes familiar to his later works, such as farming in rural America, the importance of the landscape, human frailties, and family and marital relationships. He also delves into controversial subject matter such as mental instability and the oppression of Native Americans" (Steinbeck in the Schools). Fine in Near Fine dust jacket. (Item #5662)