Published when she was 53, A Start in Life is Brookner’s first published novel, a darkly funny tale of an academic who cannot stop comparing her life to that promised by literature. Brookner’s author biography of 1981 defines her an international authority on art history, and a past Slade professor at Cambridge, a career perhaps later overshadowed by her 24 novels and Booker prize. Striking dust jacket design by Suzanne Perkins.

This copy of Brookner’s first book belonged to her publisher, Tom Maschler, the managing director of Jonathan Cape. Maschler died in 2020 and his collection was sold via Heywood Hill. This book is scarce in unclipped state due to a late price change.

London: Jonathan Cape, 1981. Hardback. 176 pages. 20.5 x 13.5 cm. Grey boards with gilt lettering to spine. Small Maschler/Heywood Hill bookplate to front endpaper, remains of a new price label over printed price on dust jacket flap. Fine book in near fine dust jacket.