Nobel Prize-winner John Steinbeck was a prolific correspondent. Opening with letters written during Steinbeck's early years in California, and closing with an unfinished, 1968 note written in Sag Harbor, New York, this collection of around 850 letters to friends, family, his editor and a diverse circle of well-known and influential public figures gives an insight into the raw creative processes of one of the most naturally-gifted and hard-working writing minds of this century.
A Life in Letters (Penguin Modern Classics)
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About the Author
Nobel Prize-winning author John Steinbeck is remembered as one of the greatest and best-loved American writers of the twentieth century. His complete works are available in Penguin Modern Classics.
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First Sentence
When John Steinbeck was twenty-four and broke, he found a way to support himself while working at what mattered most to him-becoming a writer. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
When John Steinbeck was twenty-four and broke, he found a way to support himself while working at what mattered most to him-becoming a writer. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
26 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
This 'Life in Letters', edited by Elaine Steinbeck and Robert Wallsten is an incredibly fascinating read, a personal insight into one of America's greatest writers who was instinctively a private man who never in his life played the 'public personality card'. For this reason all the scraps of notes, private letters and official correspondences that have been gathered here, along with some poignant notes from the editors, make this book a storehouse of information and insight, a patchwork of American history from 1923 to the late sixties through the eyes of a private man.
There are notes to friends charting the early years of obscurity and poverty, his self belief the only fuel behind him. Then troubled letters complaing of the diffulculties of the popularity that swept over him with the success of 'Of Mice and Men' and 'The Grapes of Wrath'.
It is ironic that the thing that most disturbed him about his popularity was the amount of letters he received, tragic letters pleading for money. As Steinbeck professed himself in one of his early letters he was a man who could only communicate in print hence his disturbance at receiving these pleas in his beloved form.
For a man who found telephones 'terrifying' and 'horrific', his whole life he leant on the 'letter' as a way of combatting the isolation that he felt must be the way of life for a novelist. Sometimes they are weapons to cut through crap to friends who are more familiar with his face in life magazine than his real identity, soemtimes they are encoded messages arranging liasons with lovers. There are evn several letters to The President offering his help in concern with the coming Second World War.
They reveal a man who lived to write, and these documents remain evidence of the man outside the novel's that he kept for himself and his close friends.
There are notes to friends charting the early years of obscurity and poverty, his self belief the only fuel behind him. Then troubled letters complaing of the diffulculties of the popularity that swept over him with the success of 'Of Mice and Men' and 'The Grapes of Wrath'.
It is ironic that the thing that most disturbed him about his popularity was the amount of letters he received, tragic letters pleading for money. As Steinbeck professed himself in one of his early letters he was a man who could only communicate in print hence his disturbance at receiving these pleas in his beloved form.
For a man who found telephones 'terrifying' and 'horrific', his whole life he leant on the 'letter' as a way of combatting the isolation that he felt must be the way of life for a novelist. Sometimes they are weapons to cut through crap to friends who are more familiar with his face in life magazine than his real identity, soemtimes they are encoded messages arranging liasons with lovers. There are evn several letters to The President offering his help in concern with the coming Second World War.
They reveal a man who lived to write, and these documents remain evidence of the man outside the novel's that he kept for himself and his close friends.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By Amy
Format:Paperback
I bought this book after reading "Travels With Charly" and I was not disappointed. Through these letters you get an amazingly complete picture of Steinbeck's life, this book follows him through his first publication, his many others that were to follow, right up to his death. If you like Steinbeck then you MUST read this book.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.6 out of 5 stars
13 reviews
26 of 26 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Five stars --- if you are a Steinbeck fan
30 April 2004
By SPM
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
Steinbeck left an autobiography of sorts when he died, a collection of personal letters to his friends. His widow and his friend worked together to gather the letters from everyone they could. They edited them for clarity and published them in chronological order.
The result is the personal story of a very creative, complex writer who worked every day with his hands. When he wasn't writing novels using pencils and a legal pad, he was mending the fence or fixing the roof. He loved people as much as he loved solitude, so he began each day by reaching out with these letters to his friends around the world. He talked about his surroundings and his thoughts and his ongoing projects.
All of this would be enough to make a wonderful book, but there's the added benefit of Steinbeck's writing style. Steinbeck used as few words as possible, always trying for a poetic effect without pretension. He wanted to be honest and accurate, but he knew the value of capturing an image or feeling with a colorful use of words. As a result, this massive book is a pleasure to read, from start to finish. Steinbeck's writing style keeps you interested but never overwhelmed.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who has enjoyed a few Steinbeck novels. Aspiring writers should read it, as well. When you're done, read the Steinbeck chapter in 'Alcohol and the Writer' and Jackson Benson's books on Steinbeck. You'll be glad you did.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Steinbeck fans don't miss this one...
30 Nov 1999
By DP
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
An unbelievable recount of a man's life through his own eyes. I didn't think that a collection of letters would amount into a good read, but I was blown away by Steinbecks determinedly honest prose. The candor and focus that Steinbeck displays in his interaction with friends, family, and associates is outstanding. Steinbeck once again wields his magical touch and inspires thought and introspection without preaching. A truly great writer, and a truly great book. This collection takes you through Steinbecks journey from college dropout, to published author, to two time divorcee, to Pulitzer Prize winner. My only criticism is that there were too few moments of rage, anger and outburst, which is difficult to capture in letter form. However, it is a raw, honest, and unforgiving account of a man's walk through life, as it serves as inspiration for any aspiring writer out there. The ending letters are excellent, and it is definitely worth your time.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Want to become a writer? Read this!
28 Jan 1999
By Bruce A.
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
How can a book of letters be as fascinating as a John McPhee book, as well-written as a Steinbeck novel, as educational as the Iowa Workshop, as well as being fun, witty, and never pretentious? This book of letters will kick-start your brain and make you say "Man, could this fellow write!"
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4.6 out of 5 stars
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