The Confidence-Man
The Confidence-Man by Herman Melville, published by Random House Publishing Group in September 2003, is a Modern Library edition that spans 384 pages. This work presents a unique narrative set on a Mississippi steamer during April Fool’s Day, featuring a cast of shape-shifting con men. Through its comic strategies, the book explores the complexities of self and society, inviting readers to engage with the ethical dilemmas and inconsistencies present in antebellum American life.
Readers will find a challenging metaphysical and ethical examination within the text, as Melville delves into themes of deception and identity. The edition includes an Appendix featuring John Bryant’s “fluid text” analysis, which offers insights into early manuscript fragments of the novel. This exploration of literary and visionary concepts positions The Confidence-Man as a significant work within the realms of fiction and classics, appealing to those interested in the intricacies of human behavior and societal norms.
Official synopsis Publisher
“In The Confidence-Man,” writes John Bryant in his Introduction, “Melville found a way to render our tragic sense of self and society through the comic strategies of the confidence game. He puts the reader in the game to play its parts and to contemplate the inconsistencies of its knaves and fools.” Set on a Mississippi steamer on April Fool’s Day and populated by a series of shape-shifting con men, The Confidence-Man is a challenging metaphysical and ethical exploration of antebellum American society. Set from the first American edition of 1857, this Modern Library paperback includes an Appendix with Bryant’s innovative “fluid text” analysis of early manuscript fragments from Melville’s novel.
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