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A Clockwork Orange
by Anthony Burgess
- Used
- Fine
- Hardcover
- first
- Condition
- Fine/Very Good Indeed
- Seller
-
BATH, Somerset, United Kingdom
Item Price
A$14,725.50A$13,252.95
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
London: Heinemann , 1962. First edition. Cloth. Fine/Very Good Indeed. 8" by 5.5". None. A scarce, signed, first edition copy of Anthony Burgess' celebrated novel, his jeu d'espirit, 'A Clockwork Orange'. A first edition, first issue of this canonical novel. A novel known for its use of 'Nadsat' slang, and many time a contentious read, having been censored in some schools and libraries in the United States. Hailed as an dystopian, sci-fi, satirical, black comedy; this novel explores many genres. The teenage protagonist Alex narrates his violent exploits and experiences. Time Magazine regarded this work as on the list of 100 best English-language novels written since 1923. Burgess' novel was later adapted into a dystopian crime film by Stanley Kubrick. Signed by Burgess to a loosely inserted leaf. With the original unclipped dustwrapper, which is the first issue with the extended flaps. A lovely, very scarce example of this important literary novel. In the publisher's original cloth binding. With unclipped dustwrapper. Externally, this work is in an excellent condition. Just some minor bumping to the head and tail of spine. Dustwrapper smart. A few small closed tears to the head and tail of wrap. Small chip to the head of rear joint. Creasing to the flyleaves. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are very bright. Light scattered spots to the fore-edge, not affecting pages. Fine
Synopsis
Anthony Burgess wrote more than 40 novels, but A Clockwork Orange is certainly his most famous. The novel is set in a not-too-distant future English society, namely characterized by a subculture of extreme youth violence. Alex, the unapologetic teenaged protagonist, narrates his exploits and experiences with state authorities intent on reforming him. This narration — in a fictional slang called nadsat — is an experiment in language, combining elements of Russian and Cockney English. In fact, the title of the novel itself is taken from an old Cockney expression: “As queer as a clockwork orange.” The US edition of the novel was published without the final chapter, in which Alex grows up to renounce violence. Burgess strongly disapproved of the decision, arguing that it distorted the novel into a tale of unredeemable evil — far from the author’s original intention. Ironically, the US edition of A Clockwork Orange became a cult classic and was used by Stanley Kubrick for his 1971 film adaptation. A Clockwork Orange is ranked 65th on Modern Library’s “100 Best” English-language novels of the 20th century. It is also listed in TIME’s “100 Best Novels” (since 1923).
Reviews
On Dec 18 2015, a reader said:
One of the worst books ever! this is sick.
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Details
- Bookseller
- Rooke Books
(GB)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 737L7
- Title
- A Clockwork Orange
- Author
- Anthony Burgess
- Illustrator
- None
- Format/Binding
- Cloth
- Book Condition
- Used - Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Very Good Indeed
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Edition
- First edition
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Publisher
- Heinemann
- Place of Publication
- London
- Date Published
- 1962
- Size
- 8" by 5.5"
- Keywords
- Clockwork Orange Kubrick Dystopian Kubrick
Terms of Sale
Rooke Books
Books are sent on approval and may be returned in like condition for any reason within 14 days of receipt. Responsibility of return to be with the purchaser.
About the Seller
Rooke Books
Biblio member since 2007
BATH, Somerset
About Rooke Books
Welcome to Rooke Books Antiquarian Bookseller
We are a small team dedicated to bringing you very scarce books at reasonable prices. We specialise in rare and hard to come by works on all subjects over the last 500 years, together with modern first editions and decorative sets and bindings. Our library has something for every interest and specialism. We deliver worldwide using a fully tracked and insured courier delivery service.
Where are We?
Based in the literary city of Bath, our offices are housed in the Eastern Dispensary. Built in 1845, the building originally existed as a charitable institution providing medical care. The building now houses our collection of over twenty thousand books and has five full time members of staff.
We are a small team dedicated to bringing you very scarce books at reasonable prices. We specialise in rare and hard to come by works on all subjects over the last 500 years, together with modern first editions and decorative sets and bindings. Our library has something for every interest and specialism. We deliver worldwide using a fully tracked and insured courier delivery service.
Where are We?
Based in the literary city of Bath, our offices are housed in the Eastern Dispensary. Built in 1845, the building originally existed as a charitable institution providing medical care. The building now houses our collection of over twenty thousand books and has five full time members of staff.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Fine
- A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...
- Cloth
- "Cloth-bound" generally refers to a hardcover book with cloth covering the outside of the book covers. The cloth is stretched...
- Spine
- The outer portion of a book which covers the actual binding. The spine usually faces outward when a book is placed on a shelf....
- Flap(s)
- The portion of a book cover or cover jacket that folds into the book from front to back. The flap can contain biographical...
- Tail
- The heel of the spine.
- Dustwrapper
- Also known as book jacket, dust cover, or dust wrapper, a dust jacket is a protective and decorative cover for a book that is...
- 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...
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