New limited edition of Riddley Walker illustrated by Quentin Blake

A new, special edition of Russell Hoban's classic 1980 novel Riddley Walker has been published by The Folio Society.

The 14" x 10" hardback features 39 new colour illustrations by Quentin Blake, who collaborated with Hoban previously on several children's titles including Rosie's Magic Horse and Trouble On Thunder Mountain.

The edition is limited to 1,000 numbered copies, each signed by Blake.

Former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams has also contributed a post-script, 'Myth and "knowledging" in Riddley Walker'.

"Blake has abandoned his characteristic life-affirming, humour-filled action scenes," remarks the Folio Society's information page about the edition, "focusing instead on Riddley Walker’s threatening mood and rain-drenched atmosphere. The result is a series of brooding images: tiny figures crossing devastated landscapes, an eyeless and noseless post-nuclear mutant, the impaled head of a boar, the sinister figure of Mr Punch."

The edition is currently available to purchase direct from the Folio Society website for the "launch price" of £265, applicable until 11th June 2017 whereupon the full price of £295 applies.

News of the edition was reported by outlets such as the Creative Review in April.

Wired Magazine has a gallery of several of the illustrations from the book.