Nine and a Half Weeks. A Memoir of a Love Affair
New York: E.P. Dutton, 1978. 1st Edition. Octavo, publisher’s black cloth, spine stamped in metallic red, red endpapers, original illustrated dust jacket.
First edition of the book that inspired the steamy 1986 film starring Mickey Rourke and Kim Basinger. Written by Ingeborg Day under the pseudonym Elizabeth McNeill, the semi-autobiographical novel, purporting to be a memoir, is set in New York and chronicles a brief, sadomasochistic affair between an art dealer and a Wall Street commodities broker. The novel was an immediate bestseller, unsurprisingly causing controversy for its explicit sex scenes. Director Adrian Lyne’s adaptation was equally scandalous, particularly for his treatment on set of Basinger, then a newcomer. In order to elicit a passionate and raw performance, he manipulated Basinger to the point of tears, intentionally inducing feelings of rage and despair. While she later described the experience as traumatic, she also claimed the "exorcism" improved her craft as an actress. Dust jacket designed by Sandy Blough. First printing with complete number row to copyright page. Light edgewear to unclipped dust jacket. Near fine. Item #6921
$45.00