No Laughing Matter

Lonon: Jonathan Cape, 1986. First edition. Cloth. Near Fine/Very Good. 9" by 5.5". None. A signed first edition copy of Joseph Heller's autobiography, covering his struggle with Gullain-Barre syndrome. First edition, first impression in the original unclipped dust wrapper. Signed by author Joseph Heller on title page. 'No Laughing Matter' is a book co-authored by Joseph Heller and Speed Vogel, chronicling Heller's struggle with Gullain-Barre syndrome and his friend Vogel's experience helping with Heller's rehabilitation. Gullain- Barre syndrome is rapid-onset muscle weakness caused by the immune system damaging the peripheral nervous system. Heller struggled with this from 1981 to 1982, eventually making a 'substantial recovery'. Joseph Heller (1923-1999) was an American novelist best known for his novel 'Catch-22'. Irving 'Speed' Vogel (1918-2008) was an American sculptor and painter. 'No Laughing Matter' was the first and only book that he helped write. Collated, complete. In the publisher's original cloth binding, in the original unclipped dustwrapper. Externally, excellent. No noticeable faults. Dust wrapper is bright and clean, with a bit of fading along spine of front wrap. There is a mark on the front wrap which runs across the front joint and onto the spine. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are very bright and clean throughout. Near Fine