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
Book dimensions: 8 7/8" x 5 7/8"
Binding: Half-bound in heavy copper orange suede cloth
Cover paper: Chiyogami Mum Navy Lattice – luxurious hand-printed silk-screened paper
Sewing: Hand-sewn with electric blue book thread
Endpapers: Handmade Lokta paper, each unique and sewn to the text block for extra durability
Headbands: Made from unique handmade paste papers
Slipcase: Constructed from thick book board and covered in Verona blue book cloth
Slipcase front: Features an early photograph of James Joyce printed on white felt paper
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.
