Skip to content

A Death in the Family
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

A Death in the Family Paperback - 2009

by James Agee; Introduction by Steve Earle


Summary

The classic American novel, re-published for the 100th anniversary of James Agee?s birth

Published in 1957, two years after its author?s death at the age of forty-five, A Death in the Family remains a near-perfect work of art, an autobiographical novel that contains one of the most evocative depictions of loss and grief ever written. As Jay Follet hurries back to his home in Knoxville, Tennessee, he is killed in a car accident?a tragedy that destroys not only a life, but also the domestic happiness and contentment of a young family. A novel of great courage, lyric force, and powerful emotion, A Death in the Family is a masterpiece of American literature.

From the publisher

The classic American novel--winner of the 1958 Pulitzer Prize--now re-published for the 100th anniversary of James Agee's birth One of Time's All-Time 100 Best Novels A Penguin Classic

Published in 1957, two years after its author's death at the age of forty-five, A Death in the Family remains a near-perfect work of art, an autobiographical novel that contains one of the most evocative depictions of loss and grief ever written. As Jay Follet hurries back to his home in Knoxville, Tennessee, he is killed in a car accident--a tragedy that destroys not only a life, but also the domestic happiness and contentment of a young family. A novel of great courage, lyric force, and powerful emotion, A Death in the Family is a masterpiece of American literature.

Details

  • Title A Death in the Family
  • Author James Agee; Introduction by Steve Earle
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition Centennial
  • Pages 320
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Penguin Group, E Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S.A.
  • Date 2009-09-01
  • ISBN 9780143105718 / 014310571X
  • Weight 0.48 lbs (0.22 kg)
  • Dimensions 7.74 x 5.14 x 0.56 in (19.66 x 13.06 x 1.42 cm)
  • Ages 18 to UP years
  • Grade levels 13 - UP
  • Reading level 940
  • Themes
    • Cultural Region: Mid-South
    • Cultural Region: Southeast U.S.
    • Cultural Region: South
    • Geographic Orientation: Tennessee
    • Topical: Coming of Age
  • Library of Congress subjects Domestic fiction, Boys
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 2011378283
  • Dewey Decimal Code FIC

Media reviews

"[James Agee's words] are so indelibly etched someplace inside of me that I couldn't reach to rub them out even if I wanted to. And I never want to."
-Steve Earle, from the Introduction

"The work of a writer whose power with English words can make you gasp."
-Alfred Kazin, The New York Times Book Review

" It is, in the full sense, poetry. . . . The language of the book, at once luminous and discreet . . . remains in the mind."
-The New Republic

" Wonderfully alive."
-The New Yorker

About the author

James Agee (1909­-1955) is the author of Let Us Now Praise Famous Men, the renowned study of Alabama sharecroppers during the Depression. Born in Tennessee, he died two years before the publication of A Death in the Family, his most famous work. Steve Earle (introducer) is an American singer-songwriter, political activist, and author of the short story collection Doghouse Roses. Born in Virginia, he lives with his wife in New York City.
Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

A Death in the Family (Penguin Classics)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

A Death in the Family (Penguin Classics)

by James Agee

  • Used
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143105718 / 014310571X
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Pleasant Hill, California, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
CA$6.92
CA$8.98 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Classics, September 2009. Paperback. Used - Very Good.
Item Price
CA$6.92
CA$8.98 shipping to USA
A Death in the Family
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

A Death in the Family

by James Agee

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143105718 / 014310571X
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
CA$8.28
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 2009. Paperback. Acceptable. Former library book; Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
CA$8.28
FREE shipping to USA
A Death in the Family

A Death in the Family

by Agee, James

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143105718 / 014310571X
Quantity Available
6
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
CA$8.28
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Group, 2009. Paperback. Acceptable. Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
CA$8.28
FREE shipping to USA
A Death in the Family

A Death in the Family

by Agee, James

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143105718 / 014310571X
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
CA$8.28
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Group, 2009. Paperback. Good. Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
CA$8.28
FREE shipping to USA
A Death in the Family

A Death in the Family

by Agee, James

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143105718 / 014310571X
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
CA$8.28
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Group, 2009. Paperback. Acceptable. Missing dust jacket; Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
CA$8.28
FREE shipping to USA
A Death in the Family (Penguin Classics)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

A Death in the Family (Penguin Classics)

by Agee, James

  • Used
  • very good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Very Good
Edition
Reprint
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143105718 / 014310571X
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
CA$11.06
CA$6.15 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Classics, 2009. Reprint. Trade Paperback. Very Good. A very good copy of this paperback reprint.
Item Price
CA$11.06
CA$6.15 shipping to USA
A Death in the Family
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

A Death in the Family

by Agee, James

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143105718 / 014310571x
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
CA$12.14
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
CA$12.14
FREE shipping to USA
A Death in the Family
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

A Death in the Family

by Agee, James

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143105718 / 014310571x
Quantity Available
3
Seller
Reno, Nevada, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
CA$12.14
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
CA$12.14
FREE shipping to USA
A Death in the Family
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

A Death in the Family

by Agee, James

  • Used
Condition
Used - Very Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143105718 / 014310571x
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Reno, Nevada, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
CA$12.14
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Very Good. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects.
Item Price
CA$12.14
FREE shipping to USA
A Death in the Family
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

A Death in the Family

by Agee, James

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780143105718 / 014310571x
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
CA$12.14
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
CA$12.14
FREE shipping to USA