James M. Cain. Stated first American edition. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1937. Both price-clipped dust jacket, in a mylar protective wrapper, and hardcover are in Very Good+ condition. Slight spine lean. Publisher's black pictorial cloth, stamped in silver to spine and front cover, red top-stain. Housed in a stunning dust jacket designed by W.A. Dwiggins. The dust jacket has a small piece missing on upper, front of jacket and is in great shape for its age. Remnants of former owner signature on flyleaf, otherwise, no writing or markings in the book, 314 pp.
Cain's second novel, Serenade, is his "bleakest noir, and his final masterpiece." The tale of an American opera tenor (John Howard Sharp) who loses his voice and runs to Mexico to flee from professional disgrace, meets a girl there, and then attempts a triumphant return to Hollywood with her as his semi-legal bride. "But the glory of his return is brutally stonewalled by the reality of his poor decisions and the pitiless backlash of fame."
Basis for the 1956 Anthony Mann directed film starring Mario Lanza and Joan Fontaine. To date, over 30 films have been released using Cain's works as a basis.
James M. Cain (1892-1977) was an American novelist and journalist known for The Postman Always Rings Twice, published prior to Serenade in 1934.
