Ordinary People (Stated First Edition/First Issue/Stated Third Print "Before Publication" - F/VF with F/VF DJ)

by Judith Guest

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Description

Viking, New York NY (1976) HC w/ DJ, Stated First Edition/Stated Third Print "Before Publication" (Copyright page states: Third Printing Before Publication, jacket's inner flap states: 0576, Copyright page Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data numbers read: PZ4.G9540r [PS3557.U345] 813'.5'4 76-2368), 8vo, 263 pages; Book: F/VF, clean, tight and sound, near as new, appears a once read or an unread, nothing derogatory of note, light-beige boards with orange cloth spine and spine-turns, bright gray title lettering and bright gilt publisher's name impressed to spine; Pages: F/VF, clean, white and secure, nothing derogatory of note, fancy beige endpapers and pastedowns, fancy deckled fore-edges; DJ: F/VF, clean and bright, nothing derogatory of note, beautiful original art illustration of first edition by Honi Werner, not clipped, price still showing on front inner flap (not a remainder/not a book club ed./not a Library ed.) Synopsis: Ordinary People is a quintessential classic of the modern era, it is required reading in institutions of higher learning, and study guides are published specifically for it. it was the first unsolicited manuscript Viking Publishers had purchased in twenty-six years, and the under-anticipated initial sales from booksellers was to such a degree that they had to reauthorize two more printing runs before the trade edition was first shipped to stores. The copy offered here is a scarcity in a first edition, with original jacket, both in Fine/Very Fine condition. This is undoubtedly one of the most collectible works, particularly in this condition, of the late Twentieth century, and an impressive investment for the collector. Ordinary People was the recipient of the Janet Heidiger Kafka Prize in 1976. It was made into a blockbuster movie in 1980, garnering three Academy Awards, directed by Robert Redford, and starring Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, and Timothy Hutton. Ordinary People is the story of seventeen-year-old Conrad Jarrett, just returned home from eight months in a mental institution after a suicide attempt. Before he left the hospital he was filled with hope and confidence that everything was finally back to normal. Now, at home, that confidence has vanished, and he is shaken by the realization that his old definition of normality no longer applies. What faces him now is the construction of a new self, a new life, from scratch. Blind action, in spite of paralyzing fear, seems the only way. His parents, too, find nothing in the past to help them deal with this troubled present. Ordinary people --- they have always thought of themselves that way and now powerless in the face of such extraordinary circumstances. A once unified family splits into three guarded, isolated members, sharing, it seems, only their dread of some unnamed, explosive thing they all sense in their midst. In the eye of this psychological drama is Dr Tyrone Berger, a wise bear of a psychiatrist, to help guide them hopefully through the storm of their lives. This was Judith Guest's debut novel.

Customer Reviews

On Dec 29 2007, G.A. Hazelwood - Booksellers said:

  "Ordinary People is a quintessential classic of the modern era, it is required reading in institutions of higher learning, and study guides are published specifically for it. it was the first unsolicited manuscript Viking Publishers had purchased in twenty-six years, and the under-anticipated initial sales from booksellers was to such a degree that they had to reauthorize two more printing runs before the trade edition was first shipped to stores. Ordinary People was the recipient of the Janet Heidiger Kafka Prize in 1976. It was made into a blockbuster movie in 1980, garnering three Academy Awards, directed by Robert Redford, and starring Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, and Timothy Hutton. It is the story of a teenager returning home after several months in a mental facility, coming to terms with his none too ordinary self, in a middle class family that has always considered themselve, simply, as ordinary people. And it is the story of his family coming to terms with with the awakening that there are no ordinary people, and no ordinary families. Each must come to realize that all have their own trials and tribulations, joys and love. And come to accept that in opening up to each other they bring together that which creates a unique family, their family."

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