The Loneliness of The Long-Distance Runner.

SILLITOE, Alan.

Item Number: 143504

London: W.H. Allen, 1959.

First edition of this classic work, basis for the 1962 Tony Richardson film. Octavo, original cloth. Boldly signed by the author on the title page, “Best wishes, Alan Sillitoe.” Near fine in a near fine price-clipped dust jacket. Housed in a custom half morocco slipcase.

Perhaps one of the most revered works of fiction in the twentieth-century, The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner is a modern classic about integrity, courage, and bucking the system. Its title story recounts the story of a reform school cross-country runner who seizes the perfect opportunity to defy the authority that governs his life. It is a pure masterpiece. From there the collection expands even further from the touching “On Saturday Afternoon” to the rollicking “The Decline and Fall and Frankie Buller.” Beloved for its lean prose, unforgettable protagonists, and real-life wisdom, The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner captured the voice of a generation, and its poignant and empowering life lessons will continue to captivate and entertain readers for generations to come.