A short life of the author
Jerry Wald is an American fiction writer whose published work includes The Overexamined Life of Jacob Hart, a novel that takes its cue from the Socratic dictum about the examined life and explores themes of introspection, self-knowledge, and the limits of philosophical inquiry through fiction.
Not to be confused with the Hollywood producer Jerry Wald (1911–1962), who was known for producing Mildred Pierce (1945), Johnny Belinda (1948), and other major films, and who was reportedly one of the models for Budd Schulberg’s Sammy Glick in What Makes Sammy Run?
Collecting Wald
The Overexamined Life of Jacob Hart was published by a small or mid-size press. First editions are modestly priced and collected by enthusiasts of contemporary literary fiction. The disambiguation from the famous Hollywood producer adds bibliographic interest for collectors navigating the overlap between literary and film worlds.
The Hollywood Jerry Wald’s papers and memorabilia are held by the University of Southern California’s Cinematic Arts Library, providing another avenue of collecting interest.