Burgess, Anthony

John Anthony Burgess Wilson was an English writer and composer. He regarded himself as much if not more of a composer than an author. But it is for his novels, particularly 'A Clockwork Orange' which he published under the name Anthony Burgess that he is best known. Burgess had a lifelong antipathy to authority which informed a lot of his writing. 'A Clockwork Orange' itself was written in three weeks and along with '1984' by George Orwell, is probably the best known and most influential of the dystopian novels. The inspiration for the shocking violence in the book he said was based on his wife's assault and rape by four American GI deserters in London during the Second World War. 'Clockwork Orange' was very famously made into a film by the incomparable Stanley Kubrick. Burgess did not like the adaptation, principally because of Kubrick's omission of the final chapter which Burgess felt changed the whole tenor of the book and glorified the violence. (Kubrick similarly fell out with Stephen King over 'The Shining because of changes he made). In the final chapter, the protagonist Alex recants violence but this was considered by the American publisher to be unrealistic and in a reversal of more recent trends decided that the American audience would prefer a darker ending without the redemption that Burgess, who was Catholic, had given Alex. Kubrick had read only the American version when he wrote the screenplay and stuck with the shorter version. 'A Clockwork Orange' remains one of the most important dystopian novels written.
-
1961-1978 Novels by Anthony BurgessLondon; New York : 1961-1978A wonderful selection of first edition and first US edition novels by Anthony Burgess, complete with the original dust wrappers. -
Signed
1989 Any Old IronLondon: 1989A signed second impression of Burgess's fantasy novel, a modern take on the Excalibur legend. -
1961 Devil of a StateLondon: 1961A smart first edition of this novel from British author Anthony Burgess, based on his experiences in Bandar Seri Begawan. -
1989 The Devil's ModeLondon: 1989A smart first edition of British author Anthony Burgess's first collection of short stories. -
1982 The End of the World NewsLondon: 1982A smart first edition of this insightful novel from British author Anthony Burgess. -
1985 The Kingdom of the WickedLondon: 1985A very smart first edition of this historical novel from British writer and composer Anthony Burgess. -
1961 Devil of a StateLondon: 1961A first edition, first impression of this novel by Anthony Burgess, based on his experiences in Bandar Seri Begawan. -
1964 The Eve of Saint VenusLondon: 1964The first edition of this fiction novel and play by Anthony Burgess in the original dust wrapper and illustrated by Edward Pagram. -
1961 Devil of a StateLondon: 1961The first edition of Anthony Burgess's novel based on his experiences in Bandar Seri Begawan. -
Signed
1990 You've Had Your Time Being the Second Part of the Confessions of Anthony BurgessLondon : 1990An insightful and remarkable second part of author Anthony Burgess's autobiography, signed by the author. -
Signed
1989 Any Old IronLondon: 1989The second printing of this fantasy novel by Anthony Burgess, a lovely copy signed by the author and complete with its unclipped dust wrapper. -
1961 Devil of a StateLondon, Melbourne and Toronto: 1961An excellent first edition of Anthony Burgess' novel, drawing upon his experiences living in Brunei in the late 1950s. -
1987-90 Little WIlson and Big God You've Had Your Time The Confessions of Anthony BurgessLondon: 1987-89A striking set of the complete autobiography of Anthony Burgess, a wonderful insight into the life of one of the most influential authors of the twentieth century. -
1993 A Dead Man in DeptfordLondon: 1993A fine first edition, first impression, of this historical fiction novel by Anthony Burgess, following the mysterious death of Christopher Marlowe. -
1993 A Dead Man in DeptfordLondon: 1993A superior first edition of this story celebrating the life of KIt Marlowe, written by A Clockwork Orange satirical author, Anthony Burgess. -
Signed
1962 A Clockwork OrangeLondon: 1962A smartly bound, first edition copy of Anthony Burgess' celebrated novel, his jeu d'espirit, 'A Clockwork Orange'. With a signed letter from the author loosely inserted. -
1976 A Long Trip to TeatimeLondon: 1976The first edition of this tale by Anthony Burgess, illustrated. -
1982 On Going to BedLondon: 1982The first edition of this fascinating read on bed habits by popular author Anthony Burgess, illustrated. -
1962 A Clockwork OrangeLondon: 1962An uncommon, first edition copy of Anthony Burgess' celebrated novel, his jeu d'espirit, 'A Clockwork Orange'. -
Signed
1962 A Clockwork OrangeLondon: 1962A scarce, signed, first edition copy of Anthony Burgess' celebrated novel, his jeu d'espirit, 'A Clockwork Orange'. -
1982 The End of the World News Anthony Burgess First Edition Novel Trotsky FreudLondon: 1982The first edition of this novel by British author Anthony Burgess. -
1964 Anthony Burgess First Edition Eve of Saint Venus Dustwrapper IllustratedLondon: 1964A first edition of this novella by Anthony Burgess. -
1961 Devil of a State by Anthony Burgess First Editon Dustwrapper Exotic NovelsLondon: 191A first edition of this work by noted author Anthony Burgess.
AUD
CAD
EUR
HKD
PLN
SGD
CHF
USD