[Wolff, Kurt Heinrich] Brown, Norman O.

Closing Time.

First Edition. New York, Random House, 1973. 21.5cm x 14.5cm. (18) 109 (6) pages. Original hardcover in original illustrated dustjacket. In protective Mylar. Very good condition with only minor signs of wear. Includes newspaper-clipping with New York Times Book Review-Essay on “closing time” from 1973 (by Edward W. Said). Includes a letter from Pantheon Books / Random House Publisher, Kathleen Macomber, addressed to Kurth H. Wolff during his stay in Florence, 1973. Printed Letter in form of a newspaper-clipping, from Norman O. Brown to the Editor in New York Times Book Review. Small pen annotation on end papers. Annotations on rear paste down. From the library of sociologist Kurt H. Wolff.

The pattern of “Finnegan’s Wake” is loosely derived from the Italian philosopher Giambattista Vico (1668-1744). Vico’s idea was to conceive history not as a straight line, but as a circular process of recurrences. Many writers besides Joyce have traced to Vico’s great insight the real beginnings of modern consciousness, and what Norman O. Brown does in this extraordinary book is to create a sort of three-way conversation among himself, Vico, and the Joyce of “Finnegan’s Wake”. For Vico, all history begins in vulgar, that is, popular, traditions – the common sense of the human race. This is also what Joyce meant when he said, “Really it is not I who am writing this crazy book. It is you, and you, and you, and that man over there, and that girl at the next table.″

″Closing Time” is more than an effort to penetrate the great minds of Vico and Joyce; it is a profound and original continuation of their own dialogue.

• Keywords: Exile · Exilliteratur · Karl Mannheim Connection · Kurt Wolff Collection · Kurt Wolff Library (American Sociologist) · Library & Collection Building · Sociology – Rare · Sociology in Exile
• Language: English
• ISBN: 9780394485676
• Inventory Number: 40675AB