A Jack is a King

New York: The Dial Press. Very Good+ in Very Good dj. 1962. First Edition. Hardcover. [light shelfwear, small ink spot on bottom edge of text block; the jacket is lightly soiled and a bit age-toned, with shallow paper loss at spine ends, small closed tear at bottom of rear panel]. "A visceral ironic novel," says the jacket blurb, "which will impress or upset its readers but cannot be taken with indifference. [It] portrays the modern hero as an unrelenting egoist, as bold, determined, and deadly as he can be sweet and loving." The first novel by this author who has also written plays and numerous short stories, and whose current (2025) publisher's website describes him as "a surprising writer, a treat for readers who know his work and for those who come upon his writing for the first time." I'll say this for it, it's got a memorable opening line: " .