For sale: a Rare and Exceptional first edition, first printing hardcover copy of Escape from Kathmandu by Kim Stanley Robinson in a new archival wrap. First Edition stated, November 1989, Tor Books. First Printing with full number line reversed, 0 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1.
The book is in Near Fine condition with clean, bright boards, strong title gilt on a straight spine, light foxing on page blocks, tight binding, no spine tilt, lightly rolled spine ends, mild edge wear, and lightly rubbed corners. The interior of the book is also in Near Fine condition with no marks, inscriptions, or other signs of ownership inside. The illustrated end papers and the interior pages are clean and bright, making it an excellent addition to any collection.
The dust jacket is also in Near Fine condition, with the price on the front flap and mild surface and edge wear. Looks great in a new Brodart archival wrap.
Kim Stanley Robinson has expanded a previously published novelette into the title story of this enjoyable collection, and added three sequels. All four tales are about mountain climbers George Fergusson and George “Freds” Fredericks, and their supernormal encounters in the mountains of Nepal and the capital city of Kathmandu. The title story is a delightful romp in which they rescue a yeti from the scientific team which kidnapped him; the chase scene is classic, the red herring perfect, and the yeti supplies a few surprises of his own. In “Mother Goddess of the World” George and Freds scale Mount Everest to help a llama, while trying to evade a video nut who wants to record their illegal trespass into Tibet. In “The True Nature of Shangri-La” the writing turns dark as Robinson vividly depicts the endemic poverty and illness affecting much of Tibetan society. “The Kingdom Underground” is lacking in both plot and resolution, but redeemed through its descriptions of starkly beautiful scenery and exotic, appealing people.
Ships promptly in a corrugated mailer with book wrapped in both craft paper and multiple layers of bubble wrap.
