This beautiful first edition, first printing softcover is in fine condition, with no marks or tears and only minimal shelf wear. The pages are tight and unmarked, and the book remains square, clean, and well-preserved. The Harder They Come by T.C. Boyle (2015) explores themes of identity, freedom, and the tension between individual will and societal constraint. Inspired by true events, it follows Sten Stensen, a retired high school principal and Vietnam War veteran who becomes a reluctant hero after killing an armed robber while on a cruise in Costa Rica. Returning home to California, he faces growing conflict with his son, Adam, whose radical beliefs and increasing paranoia drive him toward isolation and violence. The novel offers a sharp, layered examination of personal liberty, authority, and moral conviction, earning acclaim for Boyle’s vivid storytelling and psychological depth.