A Cool Million & The Dream Life of Balso Snell
A Cool Million & The Dream Life of Balso Snell
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Condition Notes: Cover shows moderate shelf wear with a small tear on the front. pages are clean and in good shape. Binding is tight.
Author(s): Nathanael WestPrint: 2nd Print
Publication year: 1969
Binding: Paperback
Language: English
Publisher: Avon Books
ISBN:This single-volume compilation brings together two early, fiercely avant-garde satirical novellas that showcase the author's sharp deconstruction of American optimism and Western literary traditions. The collection opens with The Dream Life of Balso Snell, a surreal, Dadaist journey that follows the protagonist as he travels inside the bowels of the Trojan Horse, encountering a bizarre cast of eccentric writers, pathologically insecure intellectuals, and tragicomic figures who satirize artistic pretension and religious dogma. This is paired with A Cool Million, a biting, dark parody of Horatio Alger’s classic "rags-to-riches" success stories. The narrative tracks the relentless misfortunes of Lemuel Pitkin, a gullible and wholesome young man who sets out to make his fortune but instead becomes systematically dismantled—losing his teeth, eyes, limbs, and freedom to a corrupt capitalist machine—before being cynically martyred by a fascist political movement. Together, these short masterpieces serve as an objective archive of early twentieth-century American absurdism, using visceral black humor to expose the hollow core of national myths.
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Book Condition Scale
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Like New
This book is in excellent condition and appears to have been read only once. The pages are clean and unmarked, with no creases or stains. The binding remains firm and tight. There may be minimal signs of shelf wear on the cover or dust jacket, but overall, the book looks and feels nearly new.
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Very Good
This book has been read but remains in great condition. It does not look new, yet there is no obvious damage to the cover. Wear and tear are minimal. The pages are clean, free of highlighting or notes, though it may contain identifying marks from a previous owner or bookstore.
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Good
This book shows moderate to heavy signs of wear that can include creases, stains or tears. The cover may have minimal damage, and the binding remains intact with slight wear. The majority of pages are undamaged, though there may be some highlighting, underlining, or notes. It may also contain identifying marks from a previous owner or bookstore.
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Acceptable
This book shows significant wear, which may include tears, large stains, creases, loose pages, and heavy notes, underlining, or highlighting. The binding may be loose but remains intact. While it has noticeable imperfections, it is still a complete and readable copy. Any major defects will be clearly noted in the listing.
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As Is
This book is visibly worn and may be heavily soiled, scuffed, stained, or spotted. It may have loose joints, hinges, or pages, and some text or pages may be missing. Large tears and other significant defects may be present. While still a readable copy, it shows substantial signs of use. Any major flaws will be clearly noted in the listing.
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Dust Jacket Grading
(A) Excellent
The dust jacket is in excellent condition, may show the slightest signs of shelf wear, if any.(B) Good
Shows minor shelf wear, usually along edges and may have a few light stains.(C) Fair
Displays moderate shelf wear, including some noticeable small tears, creasing and/or stains.(D) Poor
Contains large tears, several creases, and/or heavy staining.(F) As Is
Shows significant wear and tear. Majority of dust jacket is torn or missing. May contain heavy staining.
