Original typed letter, signed, from 1960, commenting derisively on Dwight MacDonald's negative review of 'By Love Possessed' published in Commentary in 1958
Dated Feb. 18, 1960, a long one page typed letter to a Mr. McKee, discussing Dwight Macdonald's excoriating review of 'By Love Possessed.' -- "In poor Dwight's case, it was much too obvious that wherever his charges weren't plain misrepresentations, they just reflected, often comically, his own wide range of special ignorances, or that really staggering imperception and humorlessness of his. In Commentary's case, it was much too obvious that this crap was only being published because they meant to 'punish' me for what the editors, clearly silly and over-sensitive, chose to see as a bias of mine against Jews." He continues to consider the effects of the review in the literary world and on the overall critical reception to his novel. He ends on a lighter note: "Yes, one perceives that the world of letters is fairly crazy; and this I suppose makes for fun. A writer's business is to please readers; and so, as a writer, I must regret that Dwight doesn't like me and my work. Still, Dwight's a very nice person to have not-liking-you; and all thart angry huffing & puffing did definitely add for a moment to the ever too small sum of our human mirth. I'll settle for it." Great letter! Slight soil and stains to verso. Very Good. Item #H6868
Price: $250.00