SKU: 73696973197

DONLEAVY, J. P. The Ginger Man.

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DONLEAVY, J. P. The Ginger Man.DONLEAVY, J. P. The Ginger Man. Paris: The Olympia Press. 1955. Small format 8vo. Original green card covers, ruled and lettered in black and white; pp. [vi], 7 353, [vii]; a near fine copy, lightly rubbed at edges and creased at lower corner; a little creased along spine with small red mark to foot; a couple of light splash marks to the upper edge; priced 18 to inside rear cover. First edition. No. 7 in the Travellers Companion Series. Printed June

DONLEAVY, J. P. The Ginger Man. Paris: The Olympia Press. 1955.

Small format 8vo. Original green card covers, ruled and lettered in black and white; pp. [vi], 7-353, [vii]; a near-fine copy, lightly rubbed at edges and creased at lower corner; a little creased along spine with small red mark to foot; a couple of light splash marks to the upper
edge; priced 18- to inside rear cover.

First edition. No. 7 in the Traveller’s Companion Series. Printed June 1955 by Impr. S.I.P., Montreuil, and priced 1.500 to the lower cover.

J. P. Donleavy was born in Brooklyn in 1926. The son of Irish immigrants, he moved to Ireland after the end of the First World War, where he studied bacteriology at Trinity College, Dublin. There, he began to write the manuscript for his first novel The Ginger Man,
with the protagonist based in part on his friend and colleague Gainor Crist, an American Navy veteran also studying at Trinity and whom the author had once described in an interview as a "saint". Donleavy showed the book to his good friend Brendan Behan for his
thoughts, and it was Behan’s idea to approach the Olympia Press for publication after the manuscript was rejected by as many as 30 publishers. The book appeared in this format in 1955, and was immediately banned in both Ireland and the U.S. on grounds of obscenity.

Upon discovering that the book had been published under their pornography imprint The Traveller’s Companion Series, Donleavy was furious. "I smashed my fist upon its green cover format, published as it was in the pseudonymous and pornographic Traveller's Companion
Series, and I declared aloud, 'If it's the last thing I ever do, I will avenge this book'" Donleavy wrote in his 1994 autobiography. A series of legal battles followed, with each party suing the other. The arguments came to a head over twenty years later when the owner of the press
Maurice Girodias declared himself bankrupt, and sold the name of his company. When he later attempted to purchase back the title of his beloved Olympia Press at an auction in Paris, Donleavy learned of the sale, and sent his wife to France under the guise of a company named ‘The Little Someone Corporation’. Bidding was fierce, and when the total tipped $8,000 dollars, Girodias ran out of money. “The mysterious woman (as Girodias saw her) made a final bid, and the Olympia Press belonged to Donleavy." (James Campbell in The Guardian).

Donleavy is often described as one of the foremost figures in the "Angry Young Men" movement, which was characterised by a frustration with social injustice and class discrimination in post-war society. His 1973 novel A Fairy Tale of New York later inspired the famous Christmas song by the same name, adapted by Pogues.

Kearney, p. 66.

SKU: 2121592

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SKU: 73696973197

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Tangela Scott
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★★★★★ 2
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Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2026
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Blue Elf
Houston, US
★★★★★ 5
Great Quality.
Color: Beige, Size: 14, Color: Beige, Size: 14
Bought this for my son to attend a wedding on the beach. It looks very good, the color is beautiful and is true to size. He is 14 so I got size 14. He is 5’7” and weighs about 110 lbs. the pants length was perfect too. Just needs a little ironing.
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Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2026
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Mike Cochran
Massapequa, US
★★★★★ 5
Very handsome suit
Color: Beige, Size: 14
Good quality, fashionable and comfortable
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Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2026
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Amazon Customer
Alexandria, US
★★★★★ 5
Summer wedding kids suit
Color: Navy, Size: 10 Years, Color: Navy, Size: 10 Years
Bought this suit for my son in the 10 youth size and honestly was pleasantly surprised by the quality for the price. The navy color looks sharp and dressy without being too stiff or uncomfortable. The material has a little stretch, which helped it fit nicely and made it comfortable for him to move around in. The adjustable waist was a huge plus, especially for growing kids. It fit true to size overall, though the blazer sleeves were slightly long on my son. The pants had a nice slim look without being too tight. We paired it with white sneakers for a more modern look and it came out adorable. This would be perfect for weddings, graduations, concerts, communion, school events, or family photos. Overall, very happy with the purchase and would definitely buy again.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2026
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Kindle Customer
Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 5
Very Modern Handsome Suit
Color: Grey, Size: 7 Years, Color: Grey, Size: 7 Years
This is an incredibly sharp looking suit for the little guy. Great price and features, too. I made a mistake in sizing up instead of down and first one was too sloppy on him and would need alterations. He is thin and very thin in the waist. There is a lot of adjustment with buttons in waistband and coat hides the bunching. This shirt and coat will easily take a fuller body than slim I believe. He loves posing in it and feels very classy. Best purchase for a formal suit that will last longer than most kids clothes size wise. Felt bad about returning but careful folding and packing got it good as new.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2026

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