New York, NY, U.S.A.: Viking, 1985. First Edition, First Printing 1st Printing. Hardcover. Fine/Fine. 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. A satire of the media and religious fundamentalism, CARPENTER'S GOTHIC was published a decade after Gaddis' 1976 National Book Award winning novel, JR (itself published twenty years after his first opus, THE RECOGNITIONS.) Gaddis won a second National Book Award in 1994 for A FROLIC OF HIS OWN, one of a handful of American authors to have twice won this most prestigious award, more remarkable considering that he only published five novels over a five decade career. His fifth and final novel, AGAPE AGAPE (2002) , has just been published posthumously. Fine, ifirst edition, first printing, in fine, mylar-protected dust jacket.[Not remainder-marked or price-clipped] L21

Synopsis

This story of raging comedy and despair centers on the tempestuous marriage of an heiress and a Vietnam veteran. From their "carpenter gothic" rented house, Paul sets himself up as a media consultant for Reverend Ude, an evangelist mounting a grand crusade that conveniently suits a mining combine bidding to take over an ore strike on the site of Ude's African mission. At the still center of the breakneck action--revealed in Gaddis's inimitable virtuoso dialoge—is Paul's wife, Liz, and over it all looms the shadowy figure of McCandless, a geologist from whom Paul and Liz rent their house. As Paul mishandles the situation, his wife takes the geologist to her bed and a fire and aborted assassination occur; Ude issues a call to arms as harrowing as any Jeremiad--and Armageddon comes rapidly closer. Displaying Gaddis's inimitable virtuoso dialogue, and his startling treatments of violence and sexuality, Carpenter's Gothic "shows again that Gaddis is among the first rank of contemporary American writers" (Malcolm Bradbury, The Washington Post Book World ).

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Details

Bookseller: Joe Staats, Bookseller (US)
Bookseller's Inventory #: 3246
Title: CARPENTER'S GOTHIC
Author: Gaddis, William
Format/Binding: Hardcover
Book Condition: Used - Fine
Jacket Condition: Fine
Quantity Available: 1
Edition: First Edition, First Printing 1st Printing
ISBN 10: 0670697931
ISBN 13: 9780670697939
Publisher: Viking
Place of Publication: New York, NY, U.S.A.
Date Published: 1985
Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9&f
Keywords: MARRIED PEOPLE FICTION
Product_type: 2

Terms of Sale

Joe Staats, Bookseller

Books shipped in secure packaging via USPS Media Mail, Priority Mail or Global Priority Mail, upon receipt of payment, unless customer requests another method of delivery. Shipping is within 24 hrs. of receipt of payment for money orders, and after three business days for personal checks. All book jackets are protected in mylar covers from Brodart. Customers have three business days within which to contact us with complaints about merchandise by e-mail. Returns must be approved, in original packaging material, and in the same condition as when shipped. Because we make every effort to have the best possible merchandise in the best condition, to describe it accurately and to package it securely, we will in most cases accept approved returns. Approved returns will be cheerfully refunded, or credit given toward other books. Our aim is to please, and to earn your return business with superior service and prompt delivery.

About the Seller

Joe Staats, Bookseller

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About Joe Staats, Bookseller

Modern Literature, Mysteries, and More!
We specialize in collectible, contemporary signed first editions. First edition means the first printing. (Later printings of the first edition are typically not printed on acid-free paper, and should be avoided by collectors.) Signatures are obtained by us in person. Inscribed books sold by us may contain a line, a phrase, or a sketch that the author has chosen to add. Our signed books are not dedicated to anybody in particular (not to your grandmother, your Aunt Gladys, your ex-lover or your former cellmate), except in the rare case of a presentation copy from an author to a noteworthy person. All our books are hardcover, unless the book is an Advance Reading Copy, Uncorrected Proof, or PBO. You can expect that the books we send you will be as described, and in a physical condition worthy of the author’s having signed them. We do not sell remainder-marked books, signed or otherwise

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Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:

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...
Fine: A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...
Jacket: Sometimes used as another term for dust jacket, a protective and often decorative wrapper, usually made of paper which wraps...