signed second printing, 1971. the book which, per the "new york times," "cut a new path through the american literary landscape by placing black girls at the center of the story." morrison's debut novel is set in her hometown of lorain, ohio. taking place in 1941, it centers on pecola breedlove, a young african-american girl who is marked as "ugly" due to her dark skin and awkward mannerisms. this persistent social rejection leads her to develop an inferiority complex and a desperate desire for blue eyes, symbolizing her yearning for the beauty and status she associates with "whiteness." narrated primarily from the perspective of claudia macteer, pecola s foster sister, the novel also incorporates third-person omniscient narration. morrison explores difficult and controversial themes, including racism, incest, and child molestation, which have led to the book being frequently challenged and banned in schools and libraries. signed by toni morrison on front free endpaper. comes with very rare photographs of the author from the signing. new york: holt, rinehart, winston. 164 pages. 5.75 x 8.5". hardcover. bound in paper and cloth-covered boards. book condition: mild edge wear and to boards and small white mark on front joint. slight creasing and tearing to head edge of pages 21-30. jacket condition: light toning with tape over tear to head edge of front cover. large closed tears to head and tail edge of rear cover. slight tearing to head edge of front cover and slight chipping to corners. unclipped ($5.95). good+.