The Olympian is Ike Low, a young Cockney miler who is taken up by the eccentric, dominating coach, Sam Dee and turned into a world champion but at an immense human cost. The author himself writes, 'The Olympian can be read as an allegory, or as s straightforward story of an outstanding Cockney miler and his eccentric demanding coach. Ike Low, at the end, can be seen as a doomed Icarus, while the obsessional, deeply self-centred life of the international athlete has an almost Faustian quality. . . So Ike Low, groomed and ...
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The Olympian is Ike Low, a young Cockney miler who is taken up by the eccentric, dominating coach, Sam Dee and turned into a world champion but at an immense human cost. The author himself writes, 'The Olympian can be read as an allegory, or as s straightforward story of an outstanding Cockney miler and his eccentric demanding coach. Ike Low, at the end, can be seen as a doomed Icarus, while the obsessional, deeply self-centred life of the international athlete has an almost Faustian quality. . . So Ike Low, groomed and driven by Sam Dee, his implacable coach, is at once hero and victim. On first publication in 1969, this novel attracted deservedly extravagant praise both in the UK and USA: 'His tale is brilliantly told, rushing to a wildly exciting climax at Ike's second Olympic effort in Tokyo. And it is also as serious an effort as anyone has made to explore the tortures and indecisions of the totally dedicated athlete . . . He has picked (Ike) apart, found the delicate balance wheels inside and arrived at a tortuous, ironic absurdity. This absurdity races head and head with the sheer force of the narrative, right to the powerful, puzzling conclusion of this fine novel.' Pete Axthelm, Newsweek 'One of the best sports novels of all time. No one who is seriously interested in sports or in modern fiction should miss it.' Bill Perkins, National Observer 'Sheer unadulterated, unalloyed pleasure! How rarely that comes from a novel that is also first-rate.' Richard Lister, Evening Standard 'The Olympian is a polished technical achievement, convincing in detail and affect.' William Trevor, The Guardian
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Add this copy of The Olympian to cart. $2.98, fair condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Reno rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Reno, NV, UNITED STATES, published by Dell Publishing Co.
Add this copy of The Olympian to cart. $4.98, good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Atlanta rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Brownstown, MI, UNITED STATES, published 2008 by Cedarwinds.
Add this copy of The Olympian to cart. $4.98, very good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Baltimore rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Halethorpe, MD, UNITED STATES, published 2008 by Cedarwinds.
Add this copy of The Olympian to cart. $5.82, fair condition, Sold by Wonder Book - Member ABAA/ILAB rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Frederick, MD, UNITED STATES.
Add this copy of The Olympian to cart. $18.54, good condition, Sold by Dream Books Co. rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Denver, CO, UNITED STATES, published 2011 by Faber and Faber.
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Seller's Description:
Good. Minimal signs of wear. Corners and cover may show wear. May contain highlighting and or writing. May be missing dust jacket. May not include supplemental materials. May be a former library book.
Add this copy of The Olympian to cart. $19.52, fair condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Atlanta rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Brownstown, MI, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Faber & Faber.
Add this copy of The Olympian to cart. $19.53, very good condition, Sold by HPB-Diamond rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2011 by Faber and Faber.
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Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of The Olympian Glanville, Brian to cart. $19.99, like new condition, Sold by Arbor-Scout rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Ann Arbor, MI, UNITED STATES, published 2008 by Cedarwinds.
Add this copy of The Olympian to cart. $21.00, like new condition, Sold by BARRY'S BARGAIN BIN rated 2.0 out of 5 stars, ships from ISLIP TERRACE, NY, UNITED STATES.
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Seller's Description:
Fine; Collectible. This is the softcover stated Dell First Edition from September 1970. Other than! /4-inch tear at the top of the back cover, both the cover and the book are in excellent condition. There are no rips, tears, markings, etc. ---and the pages and binding are tight (see photo). **Note: All books listed as FIRST EDITIONS are stated by the publisher in words or number lines--or--only stated editions that include only the publisher and publication date. Check my feedback to see that I sell exactly as I describe. So bid now for this magnificent, impossible-to-find SPORTS FICTION COLLECTIBLE.
Add this copy of The Olympian to cart. $25.22, fair condition, Sold by Stephen White Books rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Bradford, WEST YORKSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 1969 by Martin Secker & Warburg Ltd.
This is an excellant novel--complex and mature, very well constructed and an exciting ending. Really delves into the psychology of the modern athlete, the price of great achievement and the foibles of human nature at play in that process.
