A Clockwork Orange

by Burgess, Anthony

Anthony Burgess wrote more than 40 novels, but A Clockwork Orange is certainly his most famous. The novel is set in a not-too-distant future English society, namely characterized by a subculture of extreme youth violence. Alex, the unapologetic teenaged protagonist, narrates his exploits and experiences with state authorities intent on reforming him. This narration — in a fictional slang called nadsat — is an experiment in language, combining elements of Russian and Cockney English. In fact, the title of the novel itself is taken from an old Cockney expression: “As queer as a clockwork orange.”

The US edition of the novel was published without the final chapter, in which Alex grows up to renounce violence. Burgess strongly disapproved of the decision, arguing that it distorted the novel into a tale of unredeemable evil — far from the author’s original intention. Ironically, the US edition of A Clockwork Orange became a cult classic and was used by Stanley Kubrick for his 1971 film adaptation.

A Clockwork Orange is ranked 65th on Modern Library’s “100 Best” English-language novels of the 20th century. It is also listed in TIME’s “100 Best Novels” (since 1923).

First Edition Identification

William Heinemann first published A Clockwork Orange in London in 1962. Barry Trangrove designed the original first edition dust jacket, which has wide flaps and is priced 16s. (The second issue has trimmed flaps and is re-priced 18s). Signed copies of the first edition have sold for upwards of $12,500.

Other Collectible or Notable Editions

W.W. Norton Company, Inc. published the first US edition of A Clockwork Orange — without the final chapter — in New York in 1963. This 184-page edition’s dust jacket states its original price of $3.95 on front flap of jacket. It wasn’t until 1987 that Norton published the “New American Edition,” complete with the final chapter.

In 2012, Norton published a 50th anniversary edition of the novel featuring the original British cover and six of Burgess’s own illustrations.

Reviews

Review this book!

On Dec 18, 2015, Anonymous said
One of the worst books ever! this is sick.

Available Copies

A Clockwork Orange
More Photos

A Clockwork Orange

by Anthony Burgess

Condition
Used - Fine
Jacket Condition
Very Good
Published
1963
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Tomball, Texas, USA
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€1,404.45

Show Details

Description:
Stated First American Edition; A Fine book in a Very Good dust jacket. SIGNED card laid in. A handsome copy of this classic work of 20th century literature. Although not the true first edition (the US first was preceded by the UK edition), this edition appears to be much more scarce in the marketplace, particularly with the author's signature included.… Read more about this item
Item Price
€1,404.45
A Clockwork Orange

A Clockwork Orange

by Burgess, Anthony

Condition
Used - Fine
Jacket Condition
Fine
Edition
1st
Published
1963
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Pasadena, California, USA
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€1,863.24

Show Details

Description:
First American Edition. First printing. Unclipped jacket with minor rubbing/toning at edges else Fine. Pages with minor toning, edges a touch dusty else a Fine book. A nice copy of the 20th century classic. The dystopia seems upon us. ***Please email us for better pricing.***
Item Price
€1,863.24
A Clockwork Orange: xxiii (Penguin Modern Classics)

A Clockwork Orange: xxiii (Penguin Modern Classics)

by Burgess, Anthony

Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10
0141182601
Quantity Available
1
Seller
GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 2 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€1.69

Show Details

Description:
Paperback. Very Good.
Item Price
€1.69
A Clockwork Orange
More Photos

A Clockwork Orange

by Burgess, Anthony

Condition
Used - Near Fine
Jacket Condition
Very Good
Edition
First Edition
Published
1962
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Portland, Oregon, USA
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€3,932.46

Show Details

Description:
London: William Heinemann Ltd, 1962. First Edition. Near Fine/Very Good. First edition, first printing. Bound in original first issue black cloth with spine lettered in gilt. Near Fine with foxing to top textblock edge, very faint staining to front endsheet at top edge near gutter, previous owner bookplate to front free endpaper and pages toned. In a Very… Read more about this item
Item Price
€3,932.46
A CLOCKWORK ORANGE. [Collector's Custom Clamshell case only - Not a book]

A CLOCKWORK ORANGE. [Collector's Custom Clamshell case only - Not a book]

by Burgess, Anthony

Condition
Used
Edition
1st Edition Clamshell Collector's Case
Published
1962
Binding
NO BINDING
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Montreal, Quebec, CAN
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€210.67

Show Details

Description:
London: Heinemann, 1962. 1st Edition Clamshell Collector's Case. NO BINDING. 1st Edition Clamshell Collector's Case. NO BINDING. Custom Clamshell Case. No Binding. First Edition Clamshell Case. Burgess, Anthony. A CLOCKWORK ORANGE. London: Heinemann, 1962. Superb Custom Fitted Modern Collector's Clamshell Bookcase [Not A Book] HAND-CRAFTED by our conservation team, each box is Gilt-stamped at the spine. The case is… Read more about this item
Item Price
€210.67
A Clockwork Orange
More Photos

A Clockwork Orange

by Anthony Burgess

Condition
Used - Fine
Edition
First edition
Published
1962
Binding
Cloth
Quantity Available
1
Seller
BATH, Somerset, GBR
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€4,663.76

Show Details

Description:
London: Heinemann , 1962. First edition. Cloth. Fine. 8" by 5.5". None. A smartly bound, first edition copy of Anthony Burgess' celebrated novel, his jeu d'espirit, 'A Clockwork Orange'. With a signed letter from the author loosely inserted. Bound in a full crushed morocco binding in fine condition. Loosely inserted is a typed letter, signed by Burgess… Read more about this item
Item Price
€4,663.76
No image available

A Clockwork Orange

by Anthony Burgess

Condition
Used; Good
Published
01/25/1972
Binding
Mass Market Paperback
ISBN 10
0140032193
Quantity Available
1
Seller
London, Greater London, GBR
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€4.12

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books Ltd, 01/25/1972. Mass Market Paperback. Used; Good. **WE SHIP WITHIN 24 HRS FROM LONDON, UK, 98% OF OUR ORDERS ARE RECEIVED WITHIN 7-10 DAYS. We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! Greener Books.
Item Price
€4.12
No image available

A Clockwork Orange

by Anthony Burgess

Condition
Used; Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10
0140032193
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Milton Keynes , Buckinghamshire, GBR
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€4.11

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books Ltd. Paperback. Used; Good. Simply Brit – welcome to our online used book store, where affordability meets great quality. Dive into a world of captivating reads without breaking the bank. We take pride in offering a wide selection of used books, from classics to hidden gems, ensuring there’s something for every literary palate. All orders are… Read more about this item
Item Price
€4.11
A Clockwork Orange

A Clockwork Orange

by Burgess, Anthony

Condition
Used - Very Good
Edition
First Paperback Printing
Published
1965
Binding
Paperback
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Maplewood, Missouri, USA
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€79.59

Show Details

Description:
Ballantine Books, 1965. Very good paperback , September 1965, first paperback printing, previous owner's name on endpaper. First Paperback Printing. Mass Market Paperback. Very Good.
Item Price
€79.59
A Clockwork Orange
More Photos

A Clockwork Orange

by Anthony Burgess

Condition
Used - Fine
Jacket Condition
Very Good Indeed
Edition
First edition
Published
1962
Binding
Cloth
Quantity Available
1
Seller
BATH, Somerset, GBR
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€8,855.25

Show Details

Description:
London: Heinemann , 1962. First edition. Cloth. Fine/Very Good Indeed. 8" by 5.5". None. A scarce, signed, first edition copy of Anthony Burgess' celebrated novel, his jeu d'espirit, 'A Clockwork Orange'. A first edition, first issue of this canonical novel. A novel known for its use of 'Nadsat' slang, and many time a contentious read, having been… Read more about this item
Item Price
€8,855.25
A Clockwork Orange

A Clockwork Orange

by Burgess, Anthony

Condition
Used - Near Fine with No dust jacket as issued
Published
2005
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
1568495110
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€44.90

Show Details

Description:
Cutchogue, NY: Buccaneer Books. Near Fine with No dust jacket as issued. 2005. Hardcover. 1568495110 . Gently read copy. Bumped corners. ; 185 pages .
Item Price
€44.90
A Clockwork Orange

A Clockwork Orange

by Burgess, Anthony

Condition
Used - Fine
Jacket Condition
Good
Edition
Reprint
Published
1982
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
0434098000
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Hamilton, Ontario, CAN
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€28.87

Show Details

Description:
London: Heinemann, 1982. Reprint. Hardcover. Fine/Good. Book itself is Fine; jacket merely good with a noticelable tears at the top and lower front cover with othe signs of wear.
Item Price
€28.87
A Clockwork Orange
More Photos

A Clockwork Orange

by Burgess, Anthony

Condition
Used - Black boards. Fine in fine dust jacket
Edition
First edition
Published
1962
Binding
[viii], 196 pp. 1 vols. 8vo
Quantity Available
1
Seller
New York, New York, USA
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€9,363.00

Show Details

Description:
London: Heinemann, 1962. First edition. [viii], 196 pp. 1 vols. 8vo. Black boards. Fine in fine dust jacket. First edition. [viii], 196 pp. 1 vols. 8vo. A fine copy of the notorious dystopian novel. Richly inventive in language, written in an argot that borrows heavily from the Russian, and with an unforgettable antihero at its center, Burgess's book… Read more about this item
Item Price
€9,363.00
A Clockwork Orange
More Photos

A Clockwork Orange

by Burgess, Anthony

Condition
Used - Near Fine
Edition
First Edition
Published
1962
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Portland, Oregon, USA
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€1,170.38

Show Details

Description:
London: William Heinemann Ltd, 1962. First Edition. Near Fine. First edition, first printing. Bound in original first issue black cloth with spine lettered in gilt; lacking the dust jacket. Near fine with slight lean to binding, light wear and light scuffing to binding, large former owner bookplate to front pastedown, foxing mostly confined to the textblock edge, prelims… Read more about this item
Item Price
€1,170.38
No image available

A Clockwork Orange

by Burgess, Anthony

Condition
Used - vg++
Published
1972
ISBN 10
0140032193
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Westbury, Wiltshire, GBR
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€4.66

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books, 1972. vg++. vg++ Penguin 2nd print 1972 edition paperback In stock shipped from our UK warehouse
Item Price
€4.66
A Clockwork Orange
More Photos

A Clockwork Orange

by Anthony Burgess

Condition
Used - Near Fine
Jacket Condition
Very Good Indeed
Edition
First edition
Published
1962
Binding
Cloth
Quantity Available
1
Seller
BATH, Somerset, GBR
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€2,597.54

Show Details

Description:
London: Heinemann , 1962. First edition. Cloth. Near Fine/Very Good Indeed. 8" by 5.5". None. An uncommon, first edition copy of Anthony Burgess' celebrated novel, his jeu d'espirit, 'A Clockwork Orange'. A first edition, first issue of this canonical novel. A novel known for its use of 'Nadsat' slang, and many time a contentious read, having… Read more about this item
Item Price
€2,597.54
A Clockwork Orange
More Photos

A Clockwork Orange

by BURGESS, Anthony

Condition
Used
Edition
1st Edition, 2nd Printing
Published
1970
Binding
HARDCOVER
ISBN 10
0434098000
Quantity Available
1
Seller
London, London, GBR
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€1,441.78

Show Details

Description:
William Heinemann, London, 1970. 1st Edition, 2nd Printing. HARDCOVER. 8vo in purple faux cloth, gilt lettering to spine. 195pp. The scarce 2nd printing (the very rare 1st printing was 1962), in the publisher-price-clipped Dust Jacket with publishers new price sticker to the inner flap, being œ1.75 which replaced the original pre-decimal 35 shilling price tag __CONDITION :… Read more about this item
Item Price
€1,441.78
A Clockwork Orange

A Clockwork Orange

by Burgess, Anthony

Condition
Used - Very Good
Edition
First Edition
Published
1962
Binding
Hardcover
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Didcot, Oxfordshire, GBR
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€2,656.58

Show Details

Description:
London: Heinemann, 1962. Hardcover, first edition, with plastic protective dust jacket, 196pp. Jacket design by Barry Trengrove and original price of 16s printed on inner front flap; jacket spine lightly sunned. Previous owner's name (Roy Fowler, biographer of Orson Welles) and purchase year and place penned to FEP. Water mark at REP and rear pastedown, this has bled throughout to… Read more about this item
Item Price
€2,656.58
No image available

A Clockwork Orange

by Anthony Burgess

Condition
Used - Very Good
Edition
Reprint
Published
1990
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10
0140032193
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Kidderminster, Worcestershire, GBR
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 2 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€5.90

Show Details

Description:
Penguin. Very Good. 1990. Reprint. Paperback. 0140032193 . 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 149 pages .
Item Price
€5.90
No image available

Clockwork Orange

by Burgess, Anthony

Condition
Used - Fair
Published
1972
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10
0140032193
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Tacoma, Washington, USA
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
€4.68

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Books, 1972 Book. Illus. by David Pelham(Cover art). Fair. Mass Market Paperback. Later reprint. Several small indentations and creases on the covers and spine, minor edge wear, three small stains on the fore edge, starting at the copy right page..
Item Price
€4.68