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The Bonfire of the Vanities
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Bonfire of the Vanities Paperback - 2002

by Tom Wolfe


About this book

The Bonfire of the Vanities is a 1987 satirical novel by Tom Wolfe. The book is a drama about ambition, racism, social class, politics, and greed in 1980s New York City. It focuses on three characters: WASP bond trader Sherman McCoy, Jewish assistant district attorney Larry Kramer, and British expatriate journalist Peter Fallow.

Sherman McCoy, a self-appointed 'Master of the Universe,' has a fashionable wife, a Park Avenue apartment, and a Southern mistress. His spectacular fall begins the moment he is involved in a hit-and-run accident in the Bronx. Prosecutors, newspaper hacks, politicians, and clergy close in on him, determined to bring him down. The Bonfire of the Vanities is a caustic satire on the money-feverish Eighties. This exuberant novel cemented Wolfe's reputation as the foremost chronicler of his age.

The novel was originally created as a serial in the style of Charles Dickens' writings, running  27 installments in Rolling Stone starting in 1984. The novel was a bestseller and an incredible success often noted as one of Wolfe’s greatest works. 



First line

AT THAT VERY MOMENT, IN THE VERY SORT OF PARK AVEnue co-op apartment that so obsessed the Mayor...twelve-foot ceilings...two wings, one for the white Anglo-Saxon Protestants who own the place and one for the help...Sherman McCoy was kneeling in his front hall trying to put a leash on a dachshund.

First Edition Identification

The 'true' first edition of Bonfire of the Vanities was published by Franklin Library, under a special arrangement with Farrar Straus Giroux, who published the first trade edition, also in 1987. 

The Franklin Library edition was limited and released in full purple leather with vibrant gilt lettering and embellishments. All edges gilt, raised bands on spine, silk bookmark, marbled endpapers. 'First Edition Franklin Library' is printed on the title page. 

The first trade edition published by Farrar Straus Giroux has 'First printing, 1987' on the copyright page. The bottom of the first trade edition dust jacket says 'BY THE AUTHOR OF "THE RIGHT STUFF"



Details

  • Title The Bonfire of the Vanities
  • Author Tom Wolfe
  • Binding Paperback
  • Pages 752
  • Publisher Picador, London, United Kingdom
  • Date 2002
  • ISBN 9780330491938
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The Bonfire of the Vanities (Birthday Edition)

The Bonfire of the Vanities (Birthday Edition)

by Wolfe, Tom

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9780330491938
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The Bonfire of the Vanities (Birthday Edition)

by Wolfe, Tom

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The Bonfire of the Vanities (Birthday Edition)

The Bonfire of the Vanities (Birthday Edition)

by Wolfe, Tom

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The Bonfire of the Vanities
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The Bonfire of the Vanities

by Wolfe, T.

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ISBN 13
9780330491938
ISBN 10
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Picador, 2002. This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside.This book has soft covers. In fair condition, suitable as a study copy. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item,450grams, ISBN:9780330491938
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The Bonfire of the Vanities
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The Bonfire of the Vanities

by Tom Wolfe

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9780330491938
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The Bonfire of the Vanities (Birthday Edition)
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The Bonfire of the Vanities (Birthday Edition)

by Wolfe, Tom

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The Bonfire of the Vanities
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The Bonfire of the Vanities

by Wolfe, Tom

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9780330491938
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The Bonfire of the Vanities
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The Bonfire of the Vanities

by Wolfe, Tom

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ISBN 13
9780330491938
ISBN 10
0330491938
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The bonfire of the vanities

The bonfire of the vanities

by Wolfe, Tom

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  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Cubierta deslucida. Firma del anterior propietario. Good
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ISBN 13
9780330491938
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0330491938
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Description:
London.: Picador., 1987.. Paperback. Cubierta deslucida. Firma del anterior propietario. Good. 18 cm. 709 p. Encuadernación en tapa blanda de editorial ilustrada. Idioma Inglés. Muckle Collection. Picador thirty. Originally published: New York : Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 1987; London : Cape, 1988. First published in Great Britain by Cape, 1988 . Cubierta deslucida. Firma del anterior propietario. ISBN: 0330491938 (pbk.) Stockbrokers - Fiction., Traffic accidents - Fiction., City and town life - Fiction., American fiction - 20th century., City and town life - Fiction., Traffic accidents - Fiction., Stockbrokers - Fiction., City and town life - New York || Literatura inglesa. Novela. Siglo XX. (821.111(73)-31"19") [[821.111-3]]
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