Burgess was ambivalent about the very aspects of the book that made it famous. The film, of course, was Stanley Kubrick's infamous 1971 adaptation starring Malcolm McDowell as Alex (Andy Warhol had earlier adapted the book for his film 'Vinyl' in 1965), and the 'trouble' was being 'accused of fomenting violence, rape, mayhem, as it were, because of this film and because of the book it was based on'. The novel, he later recalled, 'fell into a great silence, as many books do' following its publication in 1962, 'but then a film was made of it ten years later, and my trouble began'.

Burgess regularly expressed frustration at the disproportionate attention garnered by 'A Clockwork Orange'. Signed by the author in black ink to the title page. Not price-clipped (16s net to the front flap). Complete with the first state, original dustwrapper which is unusually bright and clean and without fading, loss or tears, showing the merest rubbing to corners and a few very light surface marks. Small bookseller's label (Foyles) to the lower edge of the rear pastedown.

The contents, with a small sum neatly written in light blue ink to the rear pastedown (and hidden by the dustwrapper flap) are otherwise clean and bright throughout. An excellent very near fine copy, the binding square and firm with a touch of bumping at the spine tip, the cloth and gilt bright and fresh. Publisher's original black cloth lettered in gilt to the spine, in the Barry Trengrove designed dustwrapper. First edition, first printing, first state.

A clockwork orange first edition