A Singular Man, J. P. Donleavy — 1st Edition

£30.00

A Singular Man, J. P. Donleavy — 1st Edition

Name: A Singular Man, J. P. Donleavy — 1st Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 6060
Price: 30.00 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, The Bodley Head, 1964

Formatting: 8vo, pp. 340.

Condition Report: Near Fine. The dark brown cloth boards are notably pristine and sharp, presenting no evidence of bumping to the corners or rubbing to the extremities, and the gilt lettering to the spine remains perfectly bright and unoxidised. Internally, the binding integrity is excellent, remaining tight and square with no cracked hinges or spine lean. The text block edges display a touch of uniform, age-appropriate toning and very faint dustiness to the top edge, yet the pages themselves are crisp, bright, and entirely free of foxing or spotting. The original, unclipped dust wrapper (priced 21s net) is remarkably fresh and vibrant, having avoided the usual fading to the yellow panels and spine, and is safely preserved in a clear, removable protective sleeve.

Catalogue Note: First UK edition of the author's second novel, published a year after the true first US edition (Little, Brown and Co., 1963). The volume retains its original dust jacket featuring the striking mechanical and photographic design, complete with the original 21s net pricing on the front flap.

While copies of this Bodley Head printing are reasonably accessible on the secondary market, it is somewhat uncommon to find the dust jacket in such a bright, unfaded state, as the yellow typographic design on the spine is particularly prone to sunning and shelf-wear.

Following the immense and controversial success of The Ginger Man, J. P. Donleavy’s second novel, A Singular Man, is a darkly comedic exploration of wealth, paranoia, and existential dread. The narrative centres on George Smith, a wealthy, aloof, and mysterious businessman living in a sprawling New York apartment. Surrounded by an eccentric cast of characters, Smith navigates the absurdities of romantic entanglements and daily life while quietly consumed by a fear of death and the construction of his own monumental mausoleum. Donleavy's signature stream-of-consciousness prose and surrealist wit combine to create a masterful study of mid-century isolation.

Book Condition: Near Fine

Book Authors: J. P. Donleavy

Book Publisher: The Bodley Head

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Modern Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 340

Book Publication Year: 1964

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Beccles, United Kingdom

Book Dimensions:

Book Condition Guide

We stock thousands of books in a wide range of conditions. To make things clear and to help you know exactly what to expect, Please refer to these condition categories to understand the condition of the book you will receive.

Condition	Description
New	A brand-new, unread and professionally handled book. Carefully preserved from publication to purchase, these books are offered in the best attainable condition. This grade applies to recently published titles that have not entered long-term storage.
As New	The book is in pristine, original condition as if just published. No signs of use or handling. The dust jacket (if present) is equally flawless. This grade applies to any book that has remained untouched in storage for years.
Fine	The book is close to As New. It remains bright and attractive, but could show minor imperfections to the boards and/or dust jacket (if present). Its pages are typically clean and unmarked.
Near Fine	The book has a number of small flaws, i.e. slight rubbing to the edges, or tiny chips or creases to the dust jacket (if present). Its pages may have faint marks, or creases that are barely perceptible — nothing that detracts from their overall condition.
Very Good	The book maintains its structural integrity, and has no major flaws such as tears to its binding or pages. It may, however, show signs of careful use, handling, or storage — small marks and creases, light foxing. Its dust jacket (if present) remains fully intact, but small tears may be present.
Good	A book that remains intact and readable with complete text pages, but shows moderate signs of wear and use to both the book and dust jacket (if present). It may have noticeable creases, nicks, or stains, and the spine likely shows fading, bumping, and rubbing. There could be writing, underlining, and other marks on some pages, though the majority will be clean and tidy.
Fair	A book with significant wear or damage. The text pages will be complete, but there may be heavy underlining, highlighting and staining throughout, and the book’s endpapers, half-title, and copyright pages could be damaged or missing. The binding could be loose, and the dust jacket (if present) may have notable scuffs or tears. These copies are usually of interest for content, signature(s) or scarcity.
Poor	A heavily worn book whose value lies in its complete and legible text. A poor book will have substantial defects — loose joints or hinges, detached covers, loose and/or missing pages, and could be heavily soiled. A poor book is also known as a reading copy, and although compromised, can hold historical or bibliographic significance.