The Ginger Man

SUMMARY: First published in Paris in 1955, and originally banned in the United States, J. P. Donleavy's first novel is now recognized the world over as a masterpiece and a modern classic of the highest order. Set in Ireland just after World War II, The Ginger Man is J. P. Donleavys wildly funny, picaresque classic novel of the misadventures of Sebastian Danger-field, a young American ne'er-do-well studying at Trinity College in Dublin. He barely has time for his studies and avoids bill collectors, makes love to almost anything in a skirt, and tries to survive without having to descend into the bottomless pit of steady work. Dangerfield's appetite for women, liquor, and general roguishness is insatiable--and he satisfies it with endless charm. “A picaresque novel to stop them all. Lusty, violent, wildly funny, it is a rigadoon of rascality, a bawled-out comic song of sex.” (Dorothy Parker, Esquire) First published in Paris in 1955, and originally banned in the United States and Ireland, J. P. Donleavy’s debut novel has since been recognized around the world as the masterful portrait of a charming and shameless American abroad. Meet Sebastian Dangerfield: husband, father, and American law student at Trinity College in Dublin. Awaiting news of his father’s death and the substantial inheritance to follow, Sebastian barely has time for his studies as he chases women, avoids bill collectors, and tries to survive without having to descend into the bottomless pit of steady work. In the words of Sean O’Reilly, “this man has granted himself the appalling right to say and think whatever the hell he likes. Silver-tongued seducer, hoaxer, thief, violent marauder, fantasist and drunk, he’s a Yank into the bargain, the rank outsider and ‘great gas’ altogether. You cannot help yourself enjoying his outrageous company” (The Irish Times). “A picaresque novel to stop them all. Lusty, violent, wildly funny, it is a rigadoon of rascality, a bawled-out comic song of sex.” (Dorothy Parker, Esquire ) First published in Paris in 1955, and originally banned in the United States and Ireland, J. P. Donleavy’s debut novel has since been recognized around the world as the masterful portrait of a charming and shameless American abroad. Meet Sebastian Dangerfield: husband, father, and American law student at Trinity College in Dublin. Awaiting news of his father’s death and the substantial inheritance to follow, Sebastian barely has time for his studies as he chases women, avoids bill collectors, and tries to survive without having to descend into the bottomless pit of steady work. In the words of Sean O’Reilly, “this man has granted himself the appalling right to say and think whatever the hell he likes. Silver-tongued seducer, hoaxer, thief, violent marauder, fantasist and drunk, he’s a Yank into the bargain, the rank outsider and ‘great gas’ altogether. You cannot help yourself enjoying his outrageous company” ( The Irish Times ).

First published in Paris in 1955 and originally banned in America, J. P. Donleavy's first novel is now recognized the world over as a masterpiece and a modern classic of the highest order. Set in Ireland just after World War II, The Ginger Man is J. P. Donleavy's wildly funny, picaresque classic novel of the misadventures of Sebastian Dangerfield, a young American ne'er-do-well studying at Trinity College in Dublin. Dangerfield's appetite for women, liquor, and general roguishness is insatiable--and he satisfies it with endless charm. "Lusty, violent, wildly funny ... The Ginger Man is the picaresque novel to stop them all."--Dorothy Parker, Esquire

With more than two million copies sold and appearing in over 30 languages, Thje Ginger Man is an Irish Comic masterpiece.

Set in Dublin, Ireland, in the post-war year of 1947, this novel tells the story of a group of college students at Trinity College. Written by Irish-American author J. P. Donleavy (whose own background may have formed the basis for the setting), the novel faced censorship and banning in both Ireland and the United States. First published in 1955 and originally banned in America, this reprint is part of a series of reissues of works by this incomparable author, whom Joseph Heller has called "one of the most accomplished and original writers of our time." Sebastian Dangerfield leaves his family in Dublin and journeys to London for a life of leisure and vice