New York: [Published by Knopf in 1965].
A rare and invaluable archive of Ross Macdonald’s carbon typescript for The Far Side of the Dollar, comprising 315 pages, rectos only, signed by the author as Kenneth Millar with his full address on the title page. The typescript is clean, with several corrections in Macdonald’s hand, reflecting his meticulous approach to crafting this classic detective novel.
Included are approximately 116 additional pages with significant corrections, primarily deletions affecting about 30% of the material. Sections range across the manuscript and provide a fascinating insight into Macdonald’s creative process.
The Far Side of the Dollar is one of Macdonald’s iconic Lew Archer novels, praised for its psychological depth, intricate plotting, and rich style. The story follows Lew Archer as he investigates the disappearance of Tom Hillman, leading him through layers of familial guilt, Hollywood history, and murder.
Ross Macdonald (Kenneth Millar) elevated the detective genre to literary heights, as noted by Jonathan Kellerman: “Macdonald remains the grandmaster, taking the crime novel to new heights.” This typescript is an extraordinary piece for collectors of literary manuscripts and crime fiction.
