A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man is James Joyce's groundbreaking debut novel and a cornerstone of modernist literature. First published in 1916, it follows the intellectual and spiritual awakening of Stephen Dedalus, a young man struggling to forge his identity amidst the religious, political, and cultural constraints of late 19th-century Ireland. With its innovative stream-of-consciousness narrative and lyrical prose, the novel traces Stephen’s evolution from obedient schoolboy to independent artist.
Bold in form and theme, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man marked a radical departure from traditional storytelling and laid the foundation for Joyce’s later masterpieces, including Ulysses. It remains essential reading for anyone interested in the development of modern fiction and the inner workings of artistic consciousness.
This Edition
Dimensions
Book: 8 7/8" x 5 7/8"
Clamshell case: 9 3/4" x 6 3/4"
Binding & Cover
Full bound in premium white goatskin
Front cover features a foiled triskelion (Celtic Spiral Knot), symbolizing growth, rebirth, and the divine
Construction
Hand-sewn with cognac brown book thread
Endpapers of unique handmade paste papers, sewn to the text block for extra strength
Headbands made from copper orange suede material
Clamshell Case
Made from thick book board, covered in Japanese Ginga Bronze book cloth
Interior lined with copper orange suede cloth and spine piece covered in luxurious hand-printed Chiyogami Mum Navy Lattice paper
Exterior features an early photograph of James Joyce printed on white felt paper
Spine tag printed on white felt paper
Printing
Offset printed on white felt paper
The Artist
Inside, you will find 10 illustrations by Dublin-born artist Joseph Malachy Kavanagh, whose life coincided with that of James Joyce. Kavanagh was well known for his oil paintings and etchings, which capture coastal landscapes, riverside scenes, and other aspects of rural life in Ireland, France, and Belgium.
