The Witches of Eastwick (1984) Signed First Edition Reference
The Witches of Eastwick (1984) is John Updike’s most commercially successful novel after Couples and the Rabbit tetralogy — a dark comedy about three divorced women in a small Rhode Island town who discover they have supernatural powers, which they exercise with increasing abandon after the arrival of a mysterious stranger, Darryl Van Horne. Published by Alfred A. Knopf, the novel blends Updike’s signature attention to suburban surfaces with elements of magical realism, feminist mythology, and satire. It is one of the few Updike novels that has sustained broad name recognition, largely thanks to the 1987 film adaptation starring Jack Nicholson, Cher, Susan Sarandon, and Michelle Pfeiffer.
First Edition Identification
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf, New York Publication date: 1984 Format: Hardcover, 307 pages First printing indicator: “First Edition” on the copyright page
Large first printing. Updike was at peak commercial viability in the mid-1980s, and Knopf printed accordingly.
Signed Copy Values
- Flat-signed: $150–$400
- Inscribed: $250–$600
The film adaptation boosted name recognition but did not generate a sustained price premium — the large supply of signed copies absorbs whatever additional demand the film creates. This remains one of the more affordable signed Updike novels.
The Film Connection
The 1987 film, directed by George Miller and featuring a star-studded cast, was a commercial success ($63 million domestic box office on a $22 million budget) and remains a cultural reference point. For collectors who value the book-to-film connection, a signed first edition paired with film memorabilia creates an interesting cross-genre display.
The Sequel
Updike published a sequel, The Widows of Eastwick (2008), twenty-four years after the original. The sequel revisits the three women in old age, after the deaths of their husbands. A signed pairing of the original and its sequel creates a thematic bookend set.
Market Position
Affordable and available. A good entry point for new Updike collectors and a pleasant addition to a comprehensive collection, but not an investment-grade title.