Various (O'Brien, John; (Editor & Publisher); Bowles, Paul; Bukowski, Charles; Dowell, Coleman; Metcalf, Paul; Mottram, Eric; White, Edmund; et al.)

The Review of Contemporary Fiction, Vol. 2, No. 3, Fall 1982

Elmwood Park, IL: John O'Brien, 1982. First Printing. "The only thing that makes life worth living is the possibility of experiencing now and then a perfect moment..." (Paul Bowles, “The Spider's House”). This early issue of the venerable literary journal chiefly edited & published by John O'Brien (1960-1994) is sub-titled the "Paul Bowles / Coleman Dowell Number" & features interviews, essays & various appreciations of these two most important, daring writers (Miller C770, pg. 176). Paul Bowles (1910-1999) was a prolific American expatriate composer, author, and translator. Among his influences was the great gothic literary legend Edgar Allen Poe (1809-1849) and he counted Beat Generation members William S. Burroughs (1914-1997), Allen Ginsberg (1926-1997), and Gregory Corso (1930-2001) as his contemporaries (see Item No. 1560). Coleman Dowell (1925-1985) was the acclaimed author of such classics as White on Black on White, which is reviewed in this issue by none other than Edmund White (1940-2025) the biographer of the great proto-Beat French author Jean Genet (1910-1986; see Item No. 7579) and Stonewall Riot instigator. Among the many important contributors who write about these two giants of American literature are Paul Metcalf (1917-1999), the great-grandson of major literary influence, Herman Melville (1819-1891) & Eric Mottram (1924-1995), author of one of the earliest critical studies of William S. Burroughs' works, The Algebra of Need (see Item No. 5443). Also with a review section of contemporary works including Charles Bukowski's (1920-1994) "Women"; contemporary ads, note to future contributors, etc. From the collection of Richard Cupidi (b. 1945), our esteemed mate in the UK who managed the fabled Unicorn Bookshop in Brighton, England for founder Bill Butler (1934-1977, the famed American-expatriate bookseller & publisher). From the late 1960s through the early 1970s, Unicorn proffered & published many outstanding productions by WSB, J.G. Ballard et al., some of which have become the scarcest, all-but-unobtainable Beat-&-Beyond collectibles (see for example our item no. 8217). After prevailing against censorious harrassment efforts, Unicorn closed & Butler died in short order. Cupidi went on to found the Public House Bookshop in Brighton, which had a long & successful run but is also now closed, & he still resides there. We have been honored to obtain what Cupidi has termed "The Last Hurrah," all the remaining treasures of Unicorn & Public House, some of which have become the stuff of myth. Large-format periodical in wrappers: First Edition & Printing. A very important rarity for scholars & collectors of these two iconic writers, with utmost relevance & grandly distinguished provenance. In relatively fine-to-very fine condition with only mild rubbing, scratching & creasing to front, back covers & spine; mild wear & a few bumps, short creases to edges & corners of same; moderate sun exposure to front cover (or maybe a surrealistic cover design choice?); very light rubbing & sparse spotting to edges of text block. Interior fine-to-very fine with only tiny-to-small bumps & creases to corners of a few page leaves. Fine-Very Fine. [Item #8252]

Price: $40.00