London: Jonathan Cape, 1945. First edition hardback. 146pp, 8vo.

After her discharge from a sanatorium, Helen Ferguson, then mostly known for her disquieting novel of repressed lesbian desire Let Me Alone, changed her name to Anna Kavan. Curiously, Anna was the name of that debut novel’s heroine. I Am Lazarus was published in 1945 and is a collection of stories similar to her previous book Asylum Piece; these are stories about people on the edge, suffering from depression and addiction. Some of these stories would later be collected in the posthumous book Julia and the Bazooka, which, along with her masterful apocalypse novel Ice, cemented her legacy as a fearless and highly skilled writer. This copy has the bookplate of Peter Hardiman Scott BBC journalist and broadcaster. Small inscription "To Daddy...2 - 4 - 45.” Dustjacket and book produced under wartime “Economy Standards”. Small chip and toning to spine. Open chips to top edge of dustjacket and dustjacket spine. Overall, in very nice condition, especially as the dustjacket is still intact. First edition. Scarce.