Books

New York: Harcourt, Brace and Company [1950], 1950. First edition. Hardcover. Very Good/Very Good. 8vo. [8], 3-499, [5] pp. Red cloth with Kerouac's initials in gold on the front board, and gold lettering on the spine; grey topstain. Price of $3.50 on front flap of jacket. Ahearn APG 001b. A presentable copy of Kerouac's first book. Very Good book with a few traces of wear to the bottom edges of the boards in a Very Good moderately edge-worn dust jacket with a few small areas of faint rubbing to the rear panel.

The Town and the City was Jack Kerouac's debut novel, published in 1950. It presents a coming-of-age story of a young man who experiences the dichotomy between provincial American life and the attraction of the city. Kerouac's alter ego is Peter Martin. The novel is heavily influenced by the works of Thomas Wolfe and is based on Kerouac's own early life.

Look for the Harcourt Brace and Company logo as well as the published date on the copyright page of the book, and check for statements of 'First Edition'.