Margaret Drabble – A Summer Bird-Cage – First Edition 1964 – With SIGNED Postcard
£385.00
A first edition, first printing of ‘A Summer Bird-Cage’ published by Morrow in 1964. A near fine book in like lightly spine faded dust wrapper. Some darkening to the edges of the wrapper – unclipped showing $3.95. Accompanying the book is a hand-written postcard dated October 2, 1974 and reads, ‘Thank you SO much for your interesting letter – for the cuttings, which I shall treasure, particularly the Grimwades Leaflet Brochure. I never met Mrs Beardmore but I visited Mrs Shingler at her beautiful cottage near Malvern. I see that you too have moved South. Another niece of A. B’s, Margaret Kennerley lived in Bognor, where I visited her. I hope you enjoy your retirement. All best wishes and many thanks Margaret Drabble. Some light staining and two tape marks. An interesting piece of ephemera, especially so as it mentions A S Byatt, Drabble’s sister.
“A Summer Bird-Cage” by Margaret Drabble explores the quiet tensions of young women navigating love, work, and independence in 1960s London. Told by Sarah, the novel contrasts two sisters’ choices: Louise’s seemingly glamorous but confining romance and Stella’s uncertain freedom. The “bird-cage” symbolises social expectations that promise comfort yet restrict ambition and identity. Drabble writes with irony and psychological insight, exposing how marriage, careers, and intellect shape female autonomy. The story captures a transitional moment, where tradition loosens but does not disappear, leaving characters suspended between safety and self-determination. Its tone remains observant, witty, compassionate, and subtly critical throughout.
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- Description
Description
A first edition, first printing of ‘A Summer Bird-Cage’ published by Morrow in 1964. A near fine book in like lightly spine faded dust wrapper. Some darkening to the edges of the wrapper – unclipped showing $3.95. Accompanying the book is a hand-written postcard dated October 2, 1974 and reads, ‘Thank you SO much for your interesting letter – for the cuttings, which I shall treasure, particularly the Grimwades Leaflet Brochure. I never met Mrs Beardmore but I visited Mrs Shingler at her beautiful cottage near Malvern. I see that you too have moved South. Another niece of A. B’s, Margaret Kennerley lived in Bognor, where I visited her. I hope you enjoy your retirement. All best wishes and many thanks Margaret Drabble. Some light staining and two tape marks. An interesting piece of ephemera, especially so as it mentions A S Byatt, Drabble’s sister.
“A Summer Bird-Cage” by Margaret Drabble explores the quiet tensions of young women navigating love, work, and independence in 1960s London. Told by Sarah, the novel contrasts two sisters’ choices: Louise’s seemingly glamorous but confining romance and Stella’s uncertain freedom. The “bird-cage” symbolises social expectations that promise comfort yet restrict ambition and identity. Drabble writes with irony and psychological insight, exposing how marriage, careers, and intellect shape female autonomy. The story captures a transitional moment, where tradition loosens but does not disappear, leaving characters suspended between safety and self-determination. Its tone remains observant, witty, compassionate, and subtly critical throughout.
