The Witches of Eastwick
Witchcraft Literary Fiction Dark Comedy Magical Realism Contemporary Fantasy Feminist Satire Supernatural Fiction
First-edition hardcover copies of John Updike’s The Witches of Eastwick (Random House, 1984) have become one of the most sought-after modern firsts in American fiction, and this unmolested copy—complete with its original dust jacket—delivers everything collectors look for: tight binding, bright boards, and no prior owner marks. Updike’s only foray into full-length supernatural fiction, the novel marries his lyrical prose to a sly feminist satire of small-town mores, turning the Rhode Island village of Eastwick into a cauldron of gossip, desire, and real witchcraft. Because the first printing was modest, clean copies in protective jackets are now scarce in the marketplace, making this volume a cornerstone for anyone building a 20th-century literature collection.
What makes the book enduringly popular is its perfect cocktail of literary pedigree and page-turning pleasure. Readers meet Alexandra, Jane, and Sukie—divorcées who discover their latent powers once freed from conventional marriages—and watch the electrifying disruption that arrives in the form of Darryl Van Horne, a demonic stranger whose seductive energy forces the town to confront its own hypocrisies. Updike’s language crackles with erotic tension and New England atmosphere, while his wit keeps the narrative buoyant; the result is a story that feels both deliciously escapist and sharply observant. Fans of the 1987 Jack Nicholson film will delight in spotting the source material, but the novel’s darker undertones and richer character work give it a resonance no adaptation has matched.
For buyers, this first edition is more than a reading copy—it is a tangible slice of 1980s literary culture, ready to appreciate in value while providing endless re-readability. Whether you’re gifting a bibliophile, filling a gap in an Updike shelf, or investing in modern firsts that crossover into women’s studies and pop-culture studies, The Witches of Eastwick in hardcover with dust jacket remains a blue-chip title that attracts attention in online searches and brick-and-mortar shops alike.
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