MANILA NOIR: THE FIRST PHILIPPINE EDITION by Hagedorn, Jessica (Editor/Author) & Other Contributors - 2013

Manila, Philippines: Anvil Publishing Press, 2013. First Edition. First Printing.. Softcover. As New/No Dust Jacket, As Issued.. Manila, Philippines: Anvil Publishing Press, 2013. Softcover. As New/None, As Issued. First Edition/First Printing. 240 pages. Collection of short stories. One of the best collections in the wildly successful Akashic Books "Noir" Series ever published. The first appearance of the title in the Philippines. Precedes and should not be confused with all other subsequent editions, particularly the Akashic Books Edition itself. Published in a small and limited first print run as a softcover original only that sold out shortly after publication. The First Edition is now scarce. Presents "Manila Noir". Crime stories set in various parts of the eponymous city, all of which appear in published form for the very first time. "While certain cities in past Akashic volumes might appear to lack an obvious 'noir' element, Manila practically defines it, as shown by the 14 selections in this excellent anthology. As Hagedorn points out in her insightful Introduction, Manila is a city burdened with a violent and painful past, and with a long heritage of foreign occupation. The Filipino take on 'noir' includes a liberal dose of the gothic and supernatural, with disappearance and loss being constants" (Publishers Weekly). "Writers from the Americas and Europe are known for a certain style of 'noir' fiction, but the rest of the world approaches the crime story from a culturally unique perspective. In 'Manila Noir' we find that the genre is flexible enough to incorporate flamboyant emotion and the supernatural, along with the usual elements 'noir' fans have come to expect: Moody atmospherics, terse dialogue, sudden violence, mordant humor, a fatalist vision" (Jessica Hagedorn). The book is filled with horrific atmospherics indeed. Two of the pieces, Marianne Villanueva's "Desire" and Jessica Hagedorn's own contribution, "Old Money", are masterly. An absolute "must-have" title for Jessica Hagedorn and Akashic Books "Noir" Series collectors. <b><i> This copy is very prominently and beautifully signed, dated (in the year of publication), and inscribed in black ink-pen on the title page by the author: "Jessica Hagedorn 2013". The recipient, who is named, is personally known to the author. Hagedorn launched the book in Manila itself, during which her signature was obtained. This title is a classic in the Akashic Books "Noir" Series. As far as we know, this is the only such signed, publication-year dated, and inscribed copy of the First Edition/First Printing available online and is in especially fine condition: Clean, crisp, and bright, a pristine beauty. Please note: The other signed copy is also available from us. A rare signed copy thus. </b></i> Some of the finest Filipino and Filipino-American writers of our time. A fine copy. (SEE ALSO OTHER JESSICA HAGEDORN TITLES IN OUR CATALOG). ISBN 9712728242.