The Ginger Man

The Ginger Man is a picaresque novel by American-Irish writer J. P. Donleavy, first published in Paris in 1955. The story is set in Dublin, Ireland, in post-war 1947. Originally banned for obscenity, the book has since become a major commercial success, selling almost 50 million copies worldwide. It is one of the best-selling books of all time, and in 1998, it was named by the Modern Library as "one of the 100 Best Novels of the 20th Century." After being translated into over 30 languages, a film adaptation of the book was considered on numerous occasions, with actor Johnny Depp being favoured for the lead role.

The story follows the life of a young American student named Sebastien Dangerfield, who arrives in Ireland after the Second World War. He enrolls at Trinity College Dublin, and develops a strong liking for alcohol and women. The book is widely considered a classic of modern literature, and remains a popular novel.