Leila, Further in the Destinies of Darcy Dancer, Gentleman
by J. P. Donleavy
First Edition
Publisher: The Franklin Library, 1983
Copyright 1983 by J. P. Donleavy
Special contents copyright 1983 by The Franklin Library
Printed in USA
This limited first edition of LEILA has been privately printed and personally signed by J. P. Donleavy exclusively for members of The Signed First Edition Society
“Dear Collector:
In 1977, novelist J.P. Donleavy, already internationally celebrated for THE GINGER MAN, introduced to literature a charming, picaresque scamp — Darcy Dancer, Gentleman. Now, Donleavy brings back this same delightful rascal in LEILA. If you are meeting him here for the first time, be prepared for episode upon episode of boisterous misadventure in this fine, hand-signed First Edition.
Darcy Dancer is a young aristocrat in post-Second World War Ireland. Feeling a life of dissipation in Dublin, he hopes merely to “once more decently hunt…shoot…and fish” at his ancestral estate, Andromeda Park. Instead he finds himself saddled with a dilapidated mansion and a hare-brained servant staff. To make matters worse he is set upon by a host of country and city eccentrics, who, friend or foe, always manage to further deplete his meager pantry, whine cellar and bank roll. Perhaps it would all be too much to bear were it not for a new servant girl, Leila, whose shy beauty and enigmatic grace create strange, new love yearnings in Dancer. “
"Leila, Further in the Destinies of Darcy Dancer, Gentleman" continues the picaresque and often bawdy adventures of Darcy Dancer, an impoverished Irish aristocrat, as he navigates the eccentricities and absurdities of his crumbling world. Donleavy's narrative follows Darcy's increasingly outlandish attempts to maintain his social standing and pursue romantic entanglements, all while confronting the decay of his family's estate and the often bizarre characters who populate his life. The book blends humor, satire, and a touch of melancholy, creating a darkly comic portrait of a man clinging to a fading world of privilege and grappling with the absurdities of existence. Donleavy's distinct prose style and his penchant for exploring the grotesque and the humorous aspects of human behavior contribute to a unique and unforgettable reading experience.
J.P. Donleavy was an Irish-American novelist and playwright, known for his darkly comic and often controversial explorations of human behavior and social conventions. His most famous work, "The Ginger Man," established his reputation for its irreverent humor and its unflinching portrayal of human desires. Donleavy's achievements include a distinctive writing style characterized by its fragmented sentences, stream-of-consciousness narrative, and a blend of humor and pathos. His works often challenged societal norms and explored themes of alienation, sexuality, and the absurdities of life. Despite facing censorship and controversy, Donleavy's unique literary voice and his willingness to push boundaries have solidified his place as a significant figure in 20th-century literature.
Please review each photo carefully for wear and usage. This item came from a local estate sale and was in the previous owner's home office for many years. Send me a message if you have questions or would like additional photos.
