APPOINTMENT IN SAMARRA, Harcourt Brace, 1934, first edition, some minor professional repair to the front inner hinge, else a vg copy in wraps. The advance reading copy of the authors first book. From the library of fellow writer and two time Pulitzer Prize winner Paul Horgan with his bookplate. A most desirable copy of this title. Housed in a custom made tray-case. Along with a good copy of the first edition of the book in an as new First Editions Club dust-wrapper. For both items---

Synopsis

At the ripe age of twenty-eight, John O’Hara completed Appointment in Samarra, his first novel, in less than four months. At a similarly quick pace, the events of the book take place in a span of just three days. In this brief time, Appointment in Samarra tells of the increasingly impulsive and self-destructive acts that lead to the main character’s suicide. Julian English, once a high-ranking member of the community of Gibbsville, angers and alienates those close to him, resulting in the rapid decline of his social status. Specific explanations for Julian’s behavior are unclear in the text, though personal insecurities along with his alcoholism undoubtedly play a role. The small-town prejudices of Gibbsville (O’Hara’s fictionalized version of his hometown, Pottsville, Pennsylvania) greatly affect Julian’s demise as well. Omniscient narration works to expose these prejudices via the inner thoughts of various people in the town. The title, Appointment in Samarra, is a reference to W. Somerset Maugham's 1933 retelling of an old story in his play, Sheppey. In the story, which appears as an epigraph for the novel, Death speaks of meeting a merchant in Samarra, informing the reader from the beginning of the novel’s fatal ending. In his foreword to the 1952 reprint, O'Hara says that the working title for the novel was The Infernal Grove. It was not until fellow writer Dorothy Parker showed him the story in Maugham's play that he got the idea for the title Appointment in Samarra. Modern Library ranked Appointment in Samarra 22nd on its list of the “100 Best” English-language novels of the 20th century.

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Bookseller: THE FINE BOOKS COMPANY (US)
Bookseller's Inventory #: 07081
Title: APPOINTMENT IN SAMARRA
Author: O'Hara, John
Book Condition: Used
Edition: First Edition
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Harcourt, Brace & Company
Date Published: 1934
Keywords: FIRST EDITIONS

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The Fine Books Company, which began purchasing rare and collectible items in 1976 and selling same in 1979, is located everywhere a computer may be accessed. A 34 year member of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America and The International League of Antiquarian Booksellers, we have travelled to, purchased and sold books on, every continent ( save Antarctica as we are unaware of any commercial book activity there). Although we may be biased towards the fields of creativity, namely all genres of fiction in first edition, we have branched out to include many areas of non-fiction as well so that our stock of over 40,000 items, which includes books, periodicals, letters and manuscripts, is now more balanced than it has ever been before. We issue occasional virtual catalogues (which only reveal a small portion of our newest inventory), quickly reply to all inquiries, do appraisals upon request and somehow have managed to publish 18 books along the way. A "Heritage" member of AbeBooks as well, our specialty is service.

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Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:

Bookplate: Highly sought after by some collectors, a book plate is an inscribed or decorative device that identifies the owner, or former...
First Edition: In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...
VG: Very Good condition can describe a used book that does show some small signs of wear - but no tears - on either binding or...
Hinge: The portion of the book closest to the spine that allows the book to be opened and closed.
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