Play It as It Lays by Joan Didion (Bantam)

Play It as It Lays is a novel written by Joan Didion, first published by Farrar Straus & Giroux in 1970 with a book jacket designed by Janet Halverson. Bantam’s paperback edition followed in July 1971. The uncredited designer adopted the snake from Halverson’s design, but added a half-naked women (because mass market, and sex sells?!). The author’s name and the title are set in large caps from Benguiat Montage. In 1972, the book was made into a movie. The image below shows a printing with a slightly adjusted cover, mentioning the motion picture.