Notes on this edition: Julian Barnes. Staring at the Sun. Alfred A. Knopf, 1987. Pp. 195 + [5]. 21.2 x 13.7 cm.
Uncorrected Proof of Julian Barnes’s fourth novel Staring at the Sun. Published by Alfred A. Knopf in 1987, and bound in orange wraps with black lettering.
Two versions of this proof are shown. The first is as published, while the second has a slip of paper taped to the cover directly under the author’s name. The paper states, “Author of FLAUBERT’S PARROT.” This version also includes a handwritten tentative publication date of “April 2, 1987” and the tentative price of “$15.95.” Stapled inside the front cover are two promotional sheets. The first describes and promotes Staring at the Sun, and the second features review blurbs in promotion of Barnes’s widely acclaimed novel Flaubert’s Parrot.