"Absurd, surreal, postmodern, self-referential, philosophical, and unlike anything else she wrote." (Willy Maley)

DOCTORS OF PHILOSOPHY: A Play

By Muriel Spark

1963

First printing of Spark's only play, inscribed with love to a "Howard," likely poet Howard Sergeant, with whom Spark was briefly involved in earlier years.

Near fine in very good jacket.

Price: $500.00

DOCTORS OF PHILOSOPHY: A Play

"You just mind your own business and leave your mother's neurosis alone. She's had it as long as I've known her, and if it's good enough for me it's good enough for you."

Bewilderingly witty, like a Tom Stoppard with teeth as well as brains. Of the play's nine characters, just three are men, all helpfully named "Charlie" so as not to tax an audience's power of remembrance in trivial matters. DOCTORS OF PHILOSOPHY is, superficially and in part, about what the previous century was pleased to call the "problem" of women "having it all," where "it all" is defined as babies, husbands, and monographs on Assyrian paleography; but it is not a superficial piece, least of all in its treatment of women's varied personal and professional ambitions and obligations as compelling instances of the universally human.

Read more: Maley, "Dr. Spark, I presume?", Scottish Book Trust.

The Object

London: Macmillian & Co Ltd, 1963. 8.5'' x 5.5''. Original royal blue cloth with gilt-lettered spine. In original unclipped (18s) dust jacket. [6], 110 pages. Inscribed by Spark to front free endpaper: "Howard / Love from Muriel". Minor edgewear to boards; light soil to upper edge of page block. Several small tears and faint chipping to upper edge and spine ends of jacket; moderate toning to jacket verso.

The Fine Print

We work hard to meet our ethical responsibilty to describe our material accurately. All items are guaranteed as described and may be returned for any reason within 30 days. Please notify us before mailing a return.

We guarantee the authenticity of our items. All items are original (meaning not facsimiles or reproductions), first editions (i.e. first printings), unless otherwise noted. TPM is a member of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America and upholds their Code of Ethics.

All items subject to prior sale. Domestic orders over $250 and international orders over $500 ship gratis. We use USPS unless otherwise requested. Expedited, overnight, or international shipping, as well as other carriers, may carry additional costs beyond quoted rates. All orders receive tracking information and a direct contact in case of any questions.

We accept all major credit cards, Paypal, Venmo, check, money order, and bank wire. We are happy to accomodate institutional buyers' needs. Sales tax will be added to applicable purchases.

If for any reason you are dissatisfied with your purchase, please contact us. We prioritize our long-term relationships far above any individual purchase, and we want you to love your item as much as we loved cataloguing it.

Add to Cart Ask a Question

More by Muriel Spark