{"product_id":"signed-first-edition-icy-sparks-gwyn-hyman-rubio-1998","title":"Gwyn Hyman Rubio Icy Sparks Signed First Edition (1998) | Oprah’s Book Club Selection | Kentucky Fiction","description":"\u003ch3 data-start=\"111\" data-end=\"695\"\u003eA haunting and deeply human Appalachian coming-of-age novel signed by the author.\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"111\" data-end=\"695\"\u003ePublished in 1998 by \u003cstrong\u003eViking Penguin\u003c\/strong\u003e, this signed first edition of \u003cem data-start=\"263\" data-end=\"275\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIcy Sparks\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e by \u003cstrong\u003eGwyn Hyman Rubio \u003c\/strong\u003ebecame one of the breakout literary novels of the late 1990s and later earned national attention as an Oprah’s Book Club selection in March 2001. Set in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky during the 1950s, the novel follows young Icy Sparks as she struggles to understand the sudden tics and vocal outbursts caused by Tourette’s Syndrome long before the condition was widely recognized or understood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"697\" data-end=\"1105\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSigned by the author in full \u003c\/strong\u003eon the title page and dated February 7, 1999, it includes a personal inscription referencing a family friend. Rubio’s debut novel was praised for its compassionate storytelling, emotional honesty, and vivid portrayal of rural Appalachian life. Both heartbreaking and quietly humorous, \u003cem data-start=\"1017\" data-end=\"1029\"\u003eIcy Sparks\u003c\/em\u003e remains an important work in contemporary Southern and Kentucky literature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin: 22px 0 14px 0; padding: 8px 14px 6px 14px; border-left: 3px solid #334FB4; background-color: #f8faff;\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #334fb4; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.2px; margin: 0 0 6px 0;\"\u003eCollector’s Note\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 6px 0 4px 0;\"\u003eSigned first editions of\u003cstrong\u003e \u003cem data-start=\"1855\" data-end=\"1867\"\u003eIcy Sparks\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e attract collectors of Appalachian literature, Oprah Book Club selections, Kentucky authors, and late-20th-century Southern fiction. The novel’s enduring reputation, combined with its authentic portrayal of Tourette’s Syndrome and rural Kentucky life, has helped maintain interest among literary fiction collectors and readers seeking influential modern coming-of-age novels. Early signed copies dated close to publication are especially desirable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe dust jacket’s stark black-and-white photographic design has become instantly recognizable among Oprah Book Club collectors and late-20th-century literary fiction readers. The novel’s themes of isolation, resilience, disability, faith, and belonging continue to resonate with modern audiences.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1405\" data-end=\"1803\"\u003eThe 308-page hardcover book is in near fine condition overall. Binding is tight and pages are clean. Dust jacket remains bright and crisp with only a small tear at the lower right corner near the spine. There is minor marker shadowing\/bleed visible on the copyright page from the author’s bold black signature on the facing title page. A well-preserved signed copy of Rubio’s acclaimed debut novel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin: 22px 0 14px 0; padding: 8px 14px 6px 14px; border-left: 3px solid #C1A97B; background-color: #f7f3eb;\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"color: #8a6b2f; font-size: 15px; letter-spacing: 0.2px; margin: 0 0 6px 0;\"\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 6px 0 4px 0;\"\u003eBorn in Macon, Georgia, \u003cstrong\u003eGwyn Ellen Hyman Rubio\u003c\/strong\u003e was raised in Cordele, Georgia, the daughter of novelist Mac Hyman, author of \u003cem data-start=\"2469\" data-end=\"2492\"\u003eNo Time for Sergeants\u003c\/em\u003e. After graduating from Florida State University with a degree in English, Rubio joined the Peace Corps and spent several years teaching in Costa Rica with her husband, Angel Rubio. Following their move to Kentucky, she began writing fiction inspired in part by Appalachian culture and rural Southern life. Published in 1998, \u003cem data-start=\"2818\" data-end=\"2830\"\u003eIcy Sparks\u003c\/em\u003e became her debut novel and achieved national recognition after being selected for Oprah’s Book Club in 2001.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eBrowse the\u003cb\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/thetownhouseantiques.com\/collections\/vintage-antique-fiction\" title=\"Classic literature, children's books and modern fiction books\"\u003eClassic Literature collection\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e for more classics, children's books, modern fiction and links to other popular printed works.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e","brand":"Viking Penguin Group","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40133639372867,"sku":"","price":28.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0114\/3262\/4186\/files\/Icy_Sparks_Square_Cover.jpg?v=1779046535","url":"https:\/\/thetownhouseantiques.com\/products\/signed-first-edition-icy-sparks-gwyn-hyman-rubio-1998","provider":"The Townhouse Antiques \u0026 Vintage","version":"1.0","type":"link"}