The Winter of Our Discontent

6W John Stienbeck. London: Heinemann, 1961. First UK Edition 

Notes

The Winter of Our Discontent, is the final novel by John Steinbeck and reflects many of the moral concerns that shaped his later writing. The story follows Ethan Allen Hawley, a once-prosperous man living in a small New England town who now works as a grocery clerk after his family fortune has faded. As Ethan becomes increasingly troubled by the corruption and hypocrisy he sees around him, he struggles with his own temptation to regain status and wealth through dishonest means. Through Ethan’s internal conflict, Steinbeck explores themes of integrity, ambition, and the quiet pressures that can erode personal morality.

John Steinbeck (1902–1968) was one of the most important American writers of the twentieth century, known for his vivid portrayals of ordinary people and his deep concern for social justice. Many of his earlier works, including The Grapes of Wrath, Of Mice and Men, and East of Eden, drew upon his experiences in California and his observations of economic hardship during the Great Depression. Steinbeck’s writing often examines the tension between individual character and the wider forces of society. In recognition of his powerful storytelling and humanitarian vision, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1962, the year after The Winter of Our Discontent was published.

The first UK printing of The Winter of Our Discontent was issued in London by William Heinemann in 1961, appearing the same year as the American edition published by Viking Press. Early printings of the novel are notable as the final work of fiction released during Steinbeck’s lifetime and therefore represent the closing chapter of a remarkable literary career

Description 

Maroon canvas binding with gilt lettering to spine. Original dust wrapper. Some minor shipping to head of storm and points of dust wrapper. Fine condition.