London: Hutchinson, 2005

Small 8vo, pp. 357. Original boards, lettered in gilt to spine. Illustrated dust jacket, author's photographic portrait to rear flap. A fine copy in a fine dust jacket.

First edition, third impression, INSCRIBED BY FRY TO HIS PUBLISHER SUE FREESTONE: 'For Sue -- As ever -- with love, thanks, and a tumbling rush of adoration, Stephen (Fry) XX'.

Sue Freestone was publishing director at Heinemann, Hutchinson and Quercus over the course a distinguished career, and guided the early -- and then mature -- careers of many authors who became best sellers. As well as Fry, her list included Douglas Adams, Robert Harris and Sebastian Faulks, and she also saw into print books by political figures, among them Alastair Campbell, Tony Benn and Bill Clinton.