Books

First edition in book form, British issue, of the author's first novel, a landmark text in modernist literature. The novel was first serialized in the British literary magazine The Egoist from 1914 to 1915, before publication in book form in 1916 by B. W. Huebsch in New York. Harriet Shaw Weaver, the proprietor of the Egoist Press, purchased and bound some 750 sets of the US sheets, issuing them in London under the Egoist imprint. She subsequently printed a further edition in Britain the following year. Octavo. Original green cloth, spine lettered in gilt. Housed in custom green cloth solander box. Loosely inserted in box is a letter from the bookshop Elkin Mathews, 28 October 1922, regarding the sale of a copy of Joyce's Chamber Music, which they published. Cloth and inner hinges neatly restored, endpapers toned else contents clean; a good copy. Slocum & Cahoon A12.

"A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man" by James Joyce is a bildungsroman that chronicles the intellectual, emotional, and spiritual development of Stephen Dedalus. The novel is divided into five chapters, each representing a different phase in Stephen's life. In the early chapters, Joyce portrays Stephen's formative years in a strict Catholic environment. He grapples with the conflict between religious devotion and burgeoning individualism. Stephen's experiences at Clongowes Wood College and Belvedere College expose him to the harsh realities of authority, conformity, and social expectations. As Stephen matures, he becomes increasingly disillusioned with the rigid dogmas of the Catholic Church. His intellectual awakening leads to a rejection of religious constraints and a pursuit of artistic expression and self-discovery. Throughout the narrative, Stephen grapples with guilt over his perceived sins, especially his sensual desires and lapses in religious devotion. His internal struggles are depicted with introspective depth, as he grapples with conflicting emotions and the tension between societal norms and personal freedom. The novel culminates in Stephen's departure from Ireland, symbolizing his rejection of the confines of his homeland, both religiously and artistically. He seeks to forge his own identity as an artist, embracing the idea of self-exile to achieve intellectual and creative independence. Joyce's prose employs stream-of-consciousness technique, offering readers insight into Stephen's inner thoughts and emotional turmoil. Through vivid and evocative language, he captures the intricacies of Stephen's mind as he grapples with his evolving beliefs and desires. "Portrait" is a groundbreaking work that explores themes of identity, alienation, religion, and the pursuit of artistic integrity. It stands as a seminal example of modernist literature, challenging traditional narrative structures and delving into the complexities of human consciousness. Joyce's masterpiece remains a significant contribution to literature, celebrated for its innovative style and profound exploration of the artist's journey toward self-realization and autonomy.