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158 Pound Marriage
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158 Pound Marriage Paperback - 1978

by John irving


About this book

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.

First line

My wife, Utchka (whose name I some time ago shortened to Utch), could teach patience to a time bomb.

First Edition Identification

The First edition of The 158-Pound Marriage was published on August 12, 1974, by Random House. "First Edition" is stated to copyright page, and number line begins with 2, per Random House's custom of identifying first edition (98765432). The American edition has a $5.95 printed on the front flap of the dust jacket. This is a scarce novel in first edition state, of which only around 2,600 were printed.

Details

  • Title 158 Pound Marriage
  • Author John irving
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition First Edition
  • Pages 255
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher POCKET, New York
  • Date September 1, 1978
  • ISBN 9780671822538
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158 Pound Marriage
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158 Pound Marriage

by John irving

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - 2 PB Worn -5%
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780671822538 / 0671822535
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Pocket Books, September 1978. Paper Back . 2 PB Worn -5%.
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158 Pound Marriage
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158 Pound Marriage

by irving, John

  • Used
  • very good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780671822538 / 0671822535
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Pocket Books. Very Good. 1978. Paperback. 0671822535 . 0.7 x 6.9 x 4 Inches; 255 pages .
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The 158-Pound Marriage
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The 158-Pound Marriage

by John Irving

  • Used
  • very good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780671822538 / 0671822535
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Pocket Books, 1978. Mass Market Paperback. Very Good. Disclaimer:A copy that has been read, but remains in excellent condition. Pages are intact and are not marred by notes or highlighting, but may contain a neat previous owner name. The spine remains undamaged. At ThriftBooks, our motto is: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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$5.99
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158-Pound Marriage
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

158-Pound Marriage

by Irving, John

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780671822538 / 0671822535
Quantity Available
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Pocket Books. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
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158 Pound Marriage
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

158 Pound Marriage

by John irving

  • Used
  • Paperback
  • first
Condition
Used - Good Condition
Edition
[ Edition: First ]
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780671822538 / 0671822535
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[ Edition: First ]. Good Condition. [ No Hassle 30 Day Returns ][ Ships Daily ] [ Underlining/Highlighting: NONE ] [ Writing: NONE ] Publisher: Pocket Books Pub Date: 10/1/1978 Binding: Paperback Pages: 255
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158 Pound Marriage
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

158 Pound Marriage

by John irving

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
  • first
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780671822538 / 0671822535
Quantity Available
1
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Description:
This is the softcover stated Pocket First Edition from October 1978. Other than a back cover cardholder (ex lib), cover creasing, and a few dog-ears (no pig's feet!) from storage, the book is in very good reading condition. There are no rips, tears, etc.---and the pages and binding are tight (see photo). **Note: All books listed as FIRST EDITIONS are stated by the publisher in words or number lines--or--only stated editions that include only the publisher and publication date. Check my feedback to see that I sell exactly as I describe. So bid now for this magnificent, impossible-to-find LITERARY COLLECTIBLE.Good
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158 Pound Marriage
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

158 Pound Marriage

by John irving

  • Used
  • very good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780671822538 / 0671822535
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Binghamton, New York, United States
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Pocket Books, 1978-09-01. Mass Market Paperback. Very Good. Prompt shipment, with tracking. we ship in CLEAN SECURE NEW boxes Very Good
Item Price
$32.00
$7.00 shipping to USA
158 Pound Marriage
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

158 Pound Marriage

by John irving

  • Used
  • very good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780671822538 / 0671822535
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Binghamton, New York, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$32.00
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Description:
Pocket Books, 1978-09-01. Mass Market Paperback. Very Good. Prompt shipment, with tracking. we ship in CLEAN SECURE NEW boxes Used Book, Very Good
Item Price
$32.00
$7.00 shipping to USA
158 Pound Marriage
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

158 Pound Marriage

by John irving

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780671822538 / 0671822535
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Binghamton, New York, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$32.00
$7.00 shipping to USA

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Description:
Pocket Books, 1978-09-01. Mass Market Paperback. Good. Prompt shipment, with tracking. we ship in CLEAN SECURE NEW boxes Pages tan, cover creased, a bit rubbed, still a good reading copy.
Item Price
$32.00
$7.00 shipping to USA
The 158-Pound Marriage

The 158-Pound Marriage

by IRVING, John

  • Used
  • Fine
  • first
Condition
Used - Fine
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780671822538 / 0671822535
Quantity Available
1
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Gloucester City, New Jersey, United States
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New York: Pocket Books, 1978. Softcover. Fine. First Pocket Books edition. Mass market paperback. Very slight rubbing on the spine, else fine.
Item Price
$35.00
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