James Thurber. First edition, stated first printing. New York: Simon and Shuster, 1956. Both unclipped dust jacket and hardcover are in Very Good+ condition. Dust jacket design by the great Paul Bacon. No writing or markings found in the book, other than a former owner's signature on flyleaf, 174 pp.
“Further Fables for Our Time” is a collection of witty, satirical fables written and illustrated by Thurber. It continues in the tradition of classic fable-tellers such as Aesop or La Fontaine, but with a modern and humorous twist aimed at contemporary society.
Some key features:
The book uses animals, surreal situations and minimal prose (with illustrations) to comment on human flaws, vices and cultural quirks.
It was published in 1956 by Simon & Schuster (in the U.S.) and includes Thurber’s own drawings.
The book was a finalist for the National Book Award in 1957.
Illustrated throughout by the author and wrapped in a dust jacket designed by the legendary Paul Bacon, known for his later work on Catch-22, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and Portnoy’s Complaint.
So in short: it’s a literary humour/satire book, collection of fables, illustrated, by a major American humorist. In terms of genre: humour/literary fiction/satire.
