---
product_id: 446532933
title: "Sot-Weed Factor (Dalkey Archive Essentials)"
brand: "john barth"
price: "$71.50"
currency: USD
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 9
url: https://www.desertcart.ec/products/446532933-sot-weed-factor-dalkey-archive-essentials
store_origin: EC
region: Ecuador
---

# Sot-Weed Factor (Dalkey Archive Essentials)

**Brand:** john barth
**Price:** $71.50
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Sot-Weed Factor (Dalkey Archive Essentials) by john barth
- **How much does it cost?** $71.50 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.ec](https://www.desertcart.ec/products/446532933-sot-weed-factor-dalkey-archive-essentials)

## Best For

- john barth enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted john barth brand quality
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## Description

Sot-Weed Factor (Dalkey Archive Essentials)

## Images

![Sot-Weed Factor (Dalkey Archive Essentials) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81gdYCcCFXL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    An epic, a masterpiece
  

*by C***1 on Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2013*

John Barth's third book, "The Sot-Weed Factor", is an epic in nearly every sense of the word including the poetic.  As Barth is wont to do, "The Sot-Weed Factor" is not only the title of this book, but it is also the title of a poem in the book which is penned by the lead character, who is himself a sot-weed factor ("sot weed" being a slang term for tobacco, and a "factor" being an agent, middleman or dealer).  Thus Barth has described three different things with the same four words:  this provides a hint of the many layers of meaning contained within "The Sot-Weed Factor" (Barth's book, that is, henceforth TSWF).TSWF rewards careful reading and rereading, and like most masterpieces it can be read and interpreted in myriad different ways.  It can be read and admired simply for the literary achievement of penning, in the mid twentieth century, a lengthy book with a fair bit of poetry in it completely in the vocabulary and style of eighteenth century educated British society.  TSWF can be read as an entertaining, bawdy satire;  as historical fiction that may or may not illustrate something about aspects of American colonial life not often captured in textbooks;  and as an intricate puzzle or game with intertwined characters that is not resolved until the end.But, as today's infomercials say, that is not all!  Things get especially interesting when one interprets TSWF and draws parallels to the modern world.  At its core TSWF is a story about the loss of innocence, with one person's innocence perhaps standing in for an entire country's or people's.  The good news is that this loss of innocence may not be all that bad a thing.  There are many philosophical, religious, political and legal aspects of the storyline, and Barth explores these deep issues while consistently keeping the reader entertained.  Barth appears to advocate secular humanism, and one of the many interesting aspects of TSWF is to see how these principles would be carried out in the much more rigid society of British Colonial America.I heartily recommend TSWF to anyone with a sense of humor who appreciates finely written literature, and who has the time to devote to a lengthy written masterpiece.  Although I think Barth could have done a bit of trimming, there is plenty of action and humor to keep the reader's interest.  Upon completing TSWF I felt satisfied, and am looking forward to reading more of Barth's works and perhaps someday rereading "The Sot Weed Factor".

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    Classic.
  

*by C***K on Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2014*

This is a hard read at first. And then it slowly starts clicking. Unlike something almost too robotic and somewhat off-putting, like Gravity's Rainbow, this one comes around the bend and meets you half-way. It won't be cuddling you or making you feel like a savant for understanding what is not there, but it has a soul and wide range of stylistic ambition. Barth writes from the heart. It just so happens it is buried under the veneer of an older style of writing here. The further you delve into this you start to see the mirror being reflected, at least in the mind of this fellow artist. While some times it can verge on getting a bit to long-winded, overall the payoff is huge and worth the travails.Barth has tremendous capability far above most his peers then and now. If anything read this to learn something about the English language. Beyond that the satire, the comedy, the biting realism; it's all fundamentally sound and extremely well-written. I think I had more fun reading his genius debut in The Floating Opera, but this is something else.... Read it slowly. Read it on the days you are confused about life. If it fails to grab you put it down. But always come back until you finish it. Barth makes you feel like a million bucks if you can get on his wavelength.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.0 out of 5 stars







  
  
    Thoroughly engrossing and entertaining up to the climax!
  

*by M***D on Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2014*

I enjoyed the book immensely up to page 662 of the Anchor Books paperback edition. From there pages 663 through 694 are missing! This was an essential turning point and climax in the novel. From page 695 to the end on page 756 I struggled to piece together what what was going on in the narrative.PLEASE DO NOT DISTRIBUTE THIS EDITION OF THIS BOOK UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS CORRECTED.Most disappointing.

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*Product available on Desertcart Ecuador*
*Store origin: EC*
*Last updated: 2026-02-21*