The Way of All Flesh
by Butler, Samuel:
- Used
- Condition
- See description
- Seller
-
Sherborne, Dorset, United Kingdom
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
Synopsis
The Way of All Flesh by Samuel Butler is a semi-autobiographical novel that attacks Victorian-era hypocrisy. The story traces the history of the Pontifex family from the early eighteenth century until about 1880 and focuses, for the most part, on the life of young Ernest Pontifex, the novel’s protagonist. Yet Ernest isn’t born until 1835, in the book’s 17th chapter. Butler uses the first 16 chapters to provide a psychological portrait of the Pontifex family background as a means of allowing readers to understand what factors have gone into forming Ernest’s personality and the longevity of the chains of tradition he must break. Upon publication in 1903, the book seemed very much of its time, an early 20th century groundbreaker alongside the work of Sigmund Freud and Pablo Picasso. The Way of All Flesh seemed to celebrate the end of the Victorian age just as it was decidedly over. But in fact, Butler had written the book decades earlier, between 1873 and 1884, though he deemed it too shocking for publication during his lifetime. As a result, Richard Alexander Streatfeild, a friend of Butler’s, arranged the publication — as the author requested of him — a year after his death. Streatfeild proved to be a good friend indeed as The Way of All Flesh was ranked twelfth on the Modern Library’s list of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century.
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Details
- Bookseller
- Grahame Thornton, Bookseller (GB)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 4566
- Title
- The Way of All Flesh
- Author
- Butler, Samuel:
- Book Condition
- Used
- Publisher
- London: Penguin,1947
- Keywords
- Penguin Main Series Paperback Fiction
- Bookseller catalogs
- List No. 20 - Penguins, List No. 5 - Fiction;
Terms of Sale
Grahame Thornton, Bookseller
Prices are net in GB Pounds, and charges will be in GB Pounds. Postage is extra, prices quoted are for standard Royal Mail shipments which do not include tracking, and if tracking is required, then ask for a quote. If a carrier is to be used, it is essential to let me have a telephone number. Books remain the property of the seller until paid for. Returns accepted if books are not as described, and will be refunded including postage. Refunds will also be available for items damaged or lost in the post. Trade discount of 10% is available to bona fide dealers on all items. Payment either by credit card through Biblio, or direct to me by Paypal (account grahame@grahamethornton.f9.co.uk).
About the Seller
Grahame Thornton, Bookseller
About Grahame Thornton, Bookseller
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- 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....
- Reading Copy
- Indicates a book that is perfectly serviceable for reading. It may have a defect or damage. As such, reading copy is not a...