Books

New York: The Viking Press, 1939. First American Edition. Joyce's last major work, a challenging work of fiction significant for its experimental style and use of language. Fragments of the work first appeared in 1924, in the pages of literary journals Transition and Transatlantic Review; the UK and US editions were published simultaneously, on May 4, 1939. Slocum & Cahoon 48; Connolly 100. First Printing, one of 6,000 copies. Octavo (24.75cm); black cloth, with titles stamped in gilt on spine; teal topstain; dustjacket; [vi],628,[2]pp. A Fine copy, with the topstain bright and unfaded. Dustjacket is unclipped (priced $5.00), showing pinpoint wear to extremities, and four tiny edge tears; very Near Fine, entirely unfaded and unrestored.

Finnegans Wake is a novel by Irish writer James Joyce. It is significant for its experimental style and reputation as one of the most difficult works in the Western canon. The book, Joyce's final and most avant-garde work, is structured as a sort of feverish dream containing multilingual puns, numerous literary and historical allusions, and a rich tapestry of themes.

First editions of 'Finnegans Wake' published by Faber and Faber in 1939 might have errors that were corrected in later editions, specific cover designs, and should state 'First Published in mcmxxxix' on the copyright page.