I had a charming letter from my grandmother. Really, she is an exceptional person. Thinks clearly, writes clearly.
I hope you are having a good summer. My best wishes to your wife.
Much love
T.
[Collection New York Public Library]
TO NEWTON ARVIN
[Palamós, Spain]
18 July 1962
Darling Sige—
I wish you weren’t so modest. I would like to have seen what the reader wrote about the mss. I know it is a brilliant book, a real achievement, and I am happy for you as I can be.
Was glad to have your opinion of Schorer’s little introduction. I was not happy about it, and I don’t know quite why, but have told Random House to use it.
Was much amused by your saying Granny [Granville] Hicks thinks every novel is ‘great’. I know he is practically your oldest friend (after Dave L. [Lilienthal]) but honestly, he is an idiot without an iota of taste or talent. Now tell the truth: don’t you think so? Anyway, I haven’t read the novel in question: Jimmy Baldwin’s.127 I loathe Jimmy’s fiction: it is crudely written and of a balls-aching boredom. I do sometimes think his essays are at least intelligent, although they almost invariably end on a fakely hopeful, hymn-singing note (glance through them, read the last paragraphs, maybe you’ll see what I mean.).
I’ve heard of the young Spanish writer but never read anything by him.
I don’t like it that you are spending such a solitary summer—Excellent for work though it is. Where is Al [Fisher]? He hasn’t married again?—I hope. And Dan [Aaron]? Have they all gone away.
Remember Duncan Aswell? Marylou’s little boy? Well he’s 25 now, and quite extraordinary: so bright. And attractive. And queer, of course. He’s teaching at Columbia next winter.
Write soon, dearheart. Much, much love—
T.
P.S. What was wrong with Corsica? Everything; but most particularly the Corsicans, who combine the worst qualities of the Italians and the French. Than which etc.
[Collection Smith College Library]
TO CECIL BEATON
[Palamós, Spain]
26 July 1962
Dearest C.
August 25th will be fine. Let me know the flight number and time of arrival and I will have a car meet you.
Guess who is here for a few days visit? Gloria V., accompanied by a lady-in-waiting in the form of Tammy Grimes—who wears mink eyebrows and a leather bikini.128 Last week the Paleys were here for a few days, so we have been far, far more social than usual.
I hope you are having a quiet time in the country.
The Wilde letters arrived, for which a multitude of thanks. It is an incredible book. A Revelation. Must talk to you about it.
So longing for our visit!
Hugs & Love
T.
[Collection St. John’s College, Cambridge University]
TO ALVIN AND MARIE DEWEY AND FAMILY
[Palamós, Spain]
3 August 1962
Dearest Family—
I had hoped to have a cable (about the Date) by now, or a letter—but perhaps something is on its way. When do you go on your vacation? And where? To Colorado?
Well, Gloria has come and gone and we had a ‘real nice’ visit. There is a new man in her life. It’s supposed to be a great secret, but I will tell you because I must tell somebody: it’s so fantastic. Nelson Rockefeller! Heaven knows what will come of it—it would certainly be a strange thing if they got married. Have had no other new guests except Jack and Drue Heinz (that’s right: 57 Varieties) who came on a yacht for 2 days.
Hold Everything Dept.: Foxy’s letter just arrived, containing answers to all the questions in paragraph One. Well, I’m glad your vacation is so near. Someday, and someday not too distant, you will come to stay with me in New York and we will have a smashing holiday!
There is a wild fox on the loose here, so we have to catch Sister and keep her in the house at night. So Sister is not very happy.
Any news of the Tates? You haven’t mentioned them in the last month or two. I suppose they are in Colorado. What happened to Cap Burtis? Incidentally, what is his full name? I’ve never quite known. I want to send him a cheer-up missive.
I have taken a few weeks off from the book to write a piece for McCalls [sic]; but it does not go too well because 1) I am only doing it for the money, which is never a sufficient reason to write anything, and 2) I dislike working on anything other than the book.
So happy that my favorite detective was able to dispose of 2 of his 3 cases so swiftly.
How goes Marie’s diet? I gave up on mine and will wait till Switzerland.
Love to the boys. Hugs for all—
T.
[Collection New York Public Library]
TO NEWTON ARVIN
[Palamós, Spain]
8 August 1962
Dearest Sige—
I have been wanting to write you for days, but have not been doing any writing of any kind, having had a severe attack of rheumatism in my right wrist. At least the doctor says it’s rheumatism. Anyway it hurts; or hurt: some very unpleasant pills have chased it away for the moment.
Cannot believe that Marilyn M. [Monroe] is dead.129 She was such a good-hearted girl, so pure really, so much on the side of the angels. Poor little baby. God bless her.
Did you read an article by John Aldrige [Aldridge] in The Times Book Review?130 An attack on me, Norman Mailer etc.? It made me furious (needless to say) but also seemed to me a lot of shit. Just blanket statements backed up by no evidence whatever—“Capote is a classic example of precocity extended to a career”—what does that mean? Please tell me what you thought of this piece—if you saw it.
May I visit you next March or April for a few days? There is so much I want to talk about. Also I want you to see the mss. of my book while it is still, so to say, flexible.
About Duncan Aswell. He is teaching in the English Dept.—(at Columbia), a course called ‘From Homer to Dostoievsky’—pretty comprehensive, eh? He has an apt.—but I don’t know the address. You don’t need a letter of Introduction. He remembers you very well. He has turned out a brilliant boy, and absolutely charming.
Hope you are finished with those worrisome chores and back with the work you want to do.
Much love, my sweet friend
T.
[Collection Smith College Library]
TO ALVIN AND MARIE DEWEY
[Postcard] [Palamós, Spain]
8 August 1962
Dear hearts—
Had a great adventure yesterday: a forest fire that burned the place next to ours and almost devoured us too. When the firefighters (over 400 of them) told us to leave the house the only thing I took was The Book and all the material pertaining to it. But the house escaped, thank God. Am so unhappy about Marilyn Monroe: she was a sweet girl, and a close friend. I loved her.
Hugs—T.
[Collection New York Public Library]
TO ALVIN AND MARIE DEWEY
[Palamós, Spain]
16 August 1962
Darling Family—
Today you go to Cuchara—and I do hope it is cool and lovely and you have a very good time. Thanks for the clippings—that’s a very good picture of Dewey. And how wonderful that Dale [Corley] got the nomination! I wish I could vote for him.
As for Dale’s theory about the execution date—yes, that sounds quite logical—though I did not realize a Governor could so dictate to a State Supreme Court. Also, I think it is disgusting to play politics in this fashion. Whatever the reason, it is really too depressing. November! My God! Will it never end!?!? Just when I thought things were moving along! Now I feel discouraged all over again. Please, will you ask Harrison what he thinks? He seems to hear all sorts of gossip in Topeka.
No visitors now, but Cecil Beaton (his photograph etc. is in “Observations”) is coming on the 25th for a week. And after that (I hope) nobody: just want to get on with the book—though God knows why, since it looks like I’ll never be able to publish it.
I wrote you about the forest fire that almost burned us up. It really was quite frightening—if the wind had slightly shifted we would have been caught. Though of course we could have escaped by boat.
No further news about Gloria V. and Nelson R. She has gone to California for a few weeks. As for Nelle—what a rascal! Actually, I know she is trying very hard to get a new book going. But she loves you dearly, so I’m sure you will be the first to hear from her when she does reappear.
I do hope Dale gets elected. Do you think it possible?
I love you all and miss you so much. Hugs and kisses—.
T.
[Collection New York Public Library]
TO ALVIN AND MARIE DEWEY AND FAMILY
[Palamós, Spain]
23 August 1962
Honey Hearts—
Are you back from Cuchara? Was it fun? I wish I could have gone, too.
Rcvd. today my notice for Renewal of Drivers License. Have filled out the form, sent the check, and gave my address as dear old Box 4.131 So when it comes along you can forward it to me.
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