(London): Corgi Books, 1980. Softcover. Very Good. First British edition. Mass market paperback. 221pp. Pages and wrappers age-toned, small droplets on page edges, about very good. A novel.

Synopsis

The 158-Pound Marriage, author John Irving's third published novel, revolves around an unidentified narrator, a college professor, and a mediocre novelist. The narrator met his wife Utch, an orphaned survivor of WWII, in Vienna while doing research. They are a relatively happy couple; their family rounded out by two children. At a faculty party, they meet Severin Winter, a Viennese-born professor and coach of the college wrestling team, and his wife, Edith. The couple's interests (Edith is an aspiring fiction writer, and Severin has a commonality with Utch's upbringing in Austria) and resulting infatuations between the couples lead to after-dinner partner-swapping. At first, the swinging goes smoothly, but eventually, uneven feelings and obsessions throw the couples off track. The title, The 158-Pound Marriage , refers to the 158-pound weight class in wrestling, which Severin, the coach, feels is the most competitive. The book is small, only 176 pages, compared to Irving's later weighty tomes, like the 610 page The World According to Garp ( 1978) and The Cider House Rules (1985), which is 973 pages.

Reviews

(Log in or Create an Account first!)

Details

Bookseller: Between the Covers- Rare Books, Inc. ABAA (US)
Bookseller's Inventory #: 465894
Title: The 158-Pound Marriage
Author: IRVING, John
Format/Binding: Softcover
Book Condition: Used - Very Good
Quantity Available: 1
Binding: Paperback
ISBN 10: 0552112674
ISBN 13: 9780552112673
Publisher: Corgi Books
Place of Publication: (London)
Date Published: 1980
Keywords: AmerLit20thCent

Terms of Sale

Between the Covers- Rare Books, Inc. ABAA

All books are first editions unless otherwise noted. All books are returnable within ten days if returned in the same condition as sent. We accept VISA, MASTERCARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS, DISCOVER, PAYPAL, checks and money orders. New Jersey residents please add 6.625% sales tax. All items guaranteed, all items subject to prior sale. Members ABAA, ILAB. Shipping is $4.50 for Media Mail, $10.00 for Priority Mail or UPS Ground. Tracking is provided for every order. Alternate shipping available by request. Shipping costs are based on books weighing 2.2 LB, or 1 KG. If your book order is heavy or oversized, we may contact you to let you know extra shipping is required.

About the Seller

Between the Covers- Rare Books, Inc. ABAA

This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.

Biblio member since 2005

Gloucester City, New Jersey

Ask Seller a Question

About Between the Covers- Rare Books, Inc. ABAA

Between the Covers-Rare Books, Inc., founded in 1985, specializes in first editions of 20th Century American and English fiction. Our inventory of over 75,000 first editions includes: African-American literature & history, Mysteries, Detective Fiction, Drama, Books into Film and Sports books. We routinely issue extensively illustrated color catalogs, available by subscription. We are members of the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America (ABAA)and the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers (ILAB). Tom Congalton, founder of Between the Covers-Rare Books, Inc., actively promotes the ethics and standards of these professional organizations and served as President of the ABAA from 2000 to 2002.

Glossary
Frequently asked questions

Glossary

Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:

Edges: The collective of the top, fore and bottom edges of the text block of the book, being that part of the edges of the pages of a...
Mass Market: Mass market paperback books, or MMPBs, are printed for large audiences cheaply. This means that they are smaller, usually 4...
Wrappers: The paper covering on the outside of a paperback. Also see the entry for pictorial wraps, color illustrated coverings for...