O’BRIEN, Flann. The Hard Life: An exegesis of squalor.

(London): MacGibbon & Kee, 1961.  First edition.  Hardcover.  20.5cm by 13cm.  156 pages. Set in turn-of-the-century Dublin, The Hard Life is a satirical Bildungsroman that deals with the education and upbringing of the narrator, Finbarr, and his brother Manus. The novel offers a mocking critique of certain representatives of the Roman Catholic Church, the development of Irish identity and the functioning of formal education. The novel was initially very popular, with its first print run selling out within forty-eight hours.  A very good copy in dust jacket by Sean O’Sullivan.  A nice example.