Robert Montgomery Bird's Sheppard Lee is a scathingly humorous and utterly original novel out of Andrew Jackson's America, the story of an incorrigible loafer who inadvertently discovers the power to project his soul into dying men's bodies and to take over their lives. So gifted, Sheppard Lee sets off in pursuit of happiness, only to find himself thwarted at every turn. In growing desperation he shifts from body to body, now a rich man and now poor man, now a madman and now a slave, a bewildered spirit trapped in the dark maze of American identity.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Robert Montgomery Bird (1806-1854) was born in Delaware and lived most of his life in and around Philadelphia. Trained as a physician, Bird abandoned medicine to become a poet dramatist, novelist, and editor. He dabbled restlessly in electoral politics, farming, banking, and teaching, as well as painting and photography. Sheppard Lee was published in 1836, as the purported true tale of the remarkable transformations undergone by its protagonist.
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Seller: World of Books (was SecondSale), Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Paperback. Condition: Good. Originally published in 1836. Sheppard Lee, Written By Himself is a work of dark satire from the early years of the American Republic. Published as an autobiography and praised by Edgar Allan Poe, this is the story of a young idler who goes in search of buried treasure and finds instead the power to transfer his soul into other men's bodies. What follows is oneincreasingly practiced body snatcher'spicaresque journey through early American pursuits of happiness, as each new form Sheppard Lee assumes disappoints him anew while making him want more and more. When Lee's metempsychosis draws him into the marriage market, the money market, and the slave market, Bird's fable of American upward mobility takes a more sinister turn. Lee learns that everything in America, even virtue and vice, are interchangeable; everything is an object and has its price. Looking forward to Melville's The Confidence-Man and beyond that to William Burroughs's Naked Lunch, this strange and compelling story is a penetrating critique of American life and values as well asa crucial addition to the canon of American literature. Seller Inventory # 00109467127
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. Pages intact with possible writing/highlighting. Binding strong with minor wear. Dust jackets/supplements may not be included. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good. Seller Inventory # 4255080-6
Seller: Better World Books, Mishawaka, IN, U.S.A.
Condition: Good. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good. Seller Inventory # 1493485-6
Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Paperback. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G1590172299I3N00
Seller: ThriftBooks-Dallas, Dallas, TX, U.S.A.
Paperback. Condition: Fair. No Jacket. Former library book; Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G1590172299I5N10
Seller: Bookmans, Tucson, AZ, U.S.A.
Paperback. Condition: Good. Satisfaction 100% guaranteed. Seller Inventory # mon0002644395
Seller: World of Books Inc, Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Paperback. Condition: Good. Originally published in 1836. Sheppard Lee, Written By Himself is a work of dark satire from the early years of the American Republic. Published as an autobiography and praised by Edgar Allan Poe, this is the story of a young idler who goes in search of buried treasure and finds instead the power to transfer his soul into other men's bodies. What follows is oneincreasingly practiced body snatcher'spicaresque journey through early American pursuits of happiness, as each new form Sheppard Lee assumes disappoints him anew while making him want more and more. When Lee's metempsychosis draws him into the marriage market, the money market, and the slave market, Bird's fable of American upward mobility takes a more sinister turn. Lee learns that everything in America, even virtue and vice, are interchangeable; everything is an object and has its price. Looking forward to Melville's The Confidence-Man and beyond that to William Burroughs's Naked Lunch, this strange and compelling story is a penetrating critique of American life and values as well asa crucial addition to the canon of American literature. Seller Inventory # CIN1590172299G
Seller: Ezekial Books, LLC, Manchester, NH, U.S.A.
paperback. Condition: Good. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed. Seller Inventory # 51UN4X0014JM
Seller: Magers and Quinn Booksellers, Minneapolis, MN, U.S.A.
paperback. Condition: Acceptable. May have underlining, highlighting, margin notes, remainder marks, inscriptions, book plates, tears, significant wear, and/or a missing dust jacket, box, or discs. Damaged item. Seller Inventory # 1476439
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR007812417
Quantity: 2 available