RITUAL

(London): Arrow Books, 1968. First edition thus. Very good plus.. First paperback edition of this tale of a fearful and conscience-bound police detective undone by pagan lechery, basis for The Wicker Man and an influence on countless folk horror variations on its themes. Pinner first conceived of RITUAL as a treatment for a screenplay, ultimately adapting his story into a novel at the urgings of his agent and selling the film rights to Christopher Lee over one fateful lunch in 1971. From there, WICKER MAN screenwriter Anthony Shaffer adapted the material into its best-known form, changing the location from Cornwall to Summerisle and drastically altering the ending, but retaining the Robert Gravesian folk mythology and Dennis Wheatleyesque occult horrors that gave the story such lasting appeal in all its forms (not counting the Nicholas Cage remake, about which the less said the better.) First published in hardcover the year before, all early editions are now scarce. 7'' x 4.25''. Original pictorial wrappers. 221, [2] pages. Small chip to lower corner of back cover; some creasing to front cover. Small closed tear to page 221. Light edgewear. (Inventory #: 49005)