Confessions of a Spent Youth, Vance Bourjaily — 1st British Edition

£24.99

Confessions of a Spent Youth, Vance Bourjaily — 1st British Edition

Name: Confessions of a Spent Youth, Vance Bourjaily — 1st British Edition
Brand: Broadhursts Books
SKU: 4491
Price: 24.99 GBP
Availability: InStock

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Publication: London, W. H. Allen, 1961

Formatting: 8vo, pp. [viii], 437.

Condition Report: Very Good. The binding remains remarkably tight, with the red cloth boards showing only faint shelf-wear and negligible bumping to the extremities, indicating careful handling over the decades. The spine's gilt lettering is exceptionally bright and entirely unoxidised, retaining a crisp presentation under the jacket. Internally, the pages are clean and the hinges are completely sound, though there is some light, typical toning and scattered foxing to the text block edges consistent with the paper stock of this era. The original dust jacket is unclipped (retaining the original 18s net flap price) and displays minor edge wear, slight rubbing, and faint surface marks, but presents very well overall as an exceedingly solid and respectable copy.

Catalogue Note: This is the First British Edition of Bourjaily's classic semi-autobiographical novel, originally published in the United States the year prior. It is bound in standard red cloth with gilt titling and retains its original, unclipped dust jacket.

The text is unillustrated but remains a cornerstone of post-war American literature issued for the British market. Copies maintaining such well-preserved jackets, without significant loss, tearing, or sun-fading, remain increasingly uncommon on the open market.

Serving as a profound coming-of-age narrative, Confessions of a Spent Youth follows the retrospective reminiscences of Quincy Quince, a character Bourjaily utilises to tap into deeply autobiographical elements. Through an unflinching lens, Quince sifts through the remnants of his young life, exploring his friendships, his drinking, brushes with drugs, his romantic entanglements, and his pivotal experiences during the Second World War. Bourjaily masterfully captures the disillusionment and the search for meaning that characterised a generation thrust into the chaos of the mid-twentieth century.

Book Condition: Very Good

Book Authors: Vance Bourjaily

Book Publisher: W. H. Allen

Book Language: English

Narrative Type: Fiction

Genre: Modern Fiction

Book edition: First Edition

Signed: No

Book Pages: 437

Book Publication Year: 1961

Book Publication Date:

Book Binding: Hardcover

Illustrator: N/A

Book Series: N/A

Country/region of manufacture: Liverpool, 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.