New York: Vintage Books; Random House, 2003. xvi, 251 pages; 21 cm. First published, 1934. Near fine. Tight, clean copy. Age toning. One of the best American novels of the early 20th century. "In December 1930, just before Christmas, the Gibbsville social circuit is electrified with parties and dances, where the music plays late into the night and the liquor flows freely. At the center of the social elite stand Julian and Caroline English -- the envy of friends and strangers alike. But in one rash moment born inside a highball glass, Julian breaks with polite society and begins a rapid descent toward self-destruction. / John O'Hara (1905-70) received instant acclaim for Appointment in Samarra, his first novel, and quickly came to be regarded as one of the most prominent writers in America. He won the National Book Award for his novel Ten North Frederick and had more stories published in The New Yorker than anyone in the history of the magazine. His fourteen novels include A Rage to Live, Pal Joey, Butterfield 8, and From the Terrace, and his more than four hundred short stories have been collected in twelve volumes." - Publisher.. 1st. Paperback. Very Good. 8vo.

Synopsis

At the ripe age of twenty-eight, John O’Hara completed Appointment in Samarra, his first novel, in less than four months. At a similarly quick pace, the events of the book take place in a span of just three days. In this brief time, Appointment in Samarra tells of the increasingly impulsive and self-destructive acts that lead to the main character’s suicide. Julian English, once a high-ranking member of the community of Gibbsville, angers and alienates those close to him, resulting in the rapid decline of his social status. Specific explanations for Julian’s behavior are unclear in the text, though personal insecurities along with his alcoholism undoubtedly play a role. The small-town prejudices of Gibbsville (O’Hara’s fictionalized version of his hometown, Pottsville, Pennsylvania) greatly affect Julian’s demise as well. Omniscient narration works to expose these prejudices via the inner thoughts of various people in the town. The title, Appointment in Samarra, is a reference to W. Somerset Maugham's 1933 retelling of an old story in his play, Sheppey. In the story, which appears as an epigraph for the novel, Death speaks of meeting a merchant in Samarra, informing the reader from the beginning of the novel’s fatal ending. In his foreword to the 1952 reprint, O'Hara says that the working title for the novel was The Infernal Grove. It was not until fellow writer Dorothy Parker showed him the story in Maugham's play that he got the idea for the title Appointment in Samarra. Modern Library ranked Appointment in Samarra 22nd on its list of the “100 Best” English-language novels of the 20th century.

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Bookseller: LEFT COAST BOOKS (US)
Bookseller's Inventory #: 078008
Title: Appointment in Samarra
Author: O'Hara, John
Format/Binding: Paperback
Book Condition: Used - Very Good
Edition: 1st
ISBN 10: 0375719202
ISBN 13: 9780375719202
Publisher: Vintage Books; Random House
Place of Publication: New York
Date Published: 2003
Size: 8vo
Note: May be a multi-volume set and require additional postage.

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Fine: A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...
Tight: Used to mean that the binding of a book has not been overly loosened by frequent use.