I sold the P. Springs house! Didn’t get a very good price, but it is a great step forward toward simplifying this all too-entangled life.
I have put everything aside to write a short novel—maybe 60,000 words. I feel optimistic but the important thing is to work and finish something. Yes it has been difficult, the bronchial pneumonia, the operation and, most of all, this withdrawal from all chemical associations. But feel I’m headed somewhere.
When I’ve finished my business in P. Springs, will head for New York—though don’t know how I’ll get there with all the gas shortages et al. Anyway, will get there early on in April.
Am so looking forward to a nice fire in the fireplace of your pretty cottage. Again, darling, Jack, I miss [you] and send so much love.
T.
P.S. Is the deed to the Springs house in your safe-deposit box? If so, where is the key? Send the reply to 853 Paseo El Mirador; P. Springs.
Hugs
T
[Collection New York Public Library]
TO LEO LERMAN20
Bayouboys Limited
3445 Stephen Lane
Wantagh, L.I., N.Y.
April 17, 1974
Dear Leo
May I ask a favor? The myriad details of business have, more and more, made it very difficult for me to find the time to “do my thing.”
As many of you are aware, communications with me are often difficult, sometimes impossible, to establish or maintain because of the vast amount of travel I enjoy. To facilitate communications I have asked my associate, John O’Shea to function as my business manager, agent, secretary and advisor.
Mr. O’Shea is completely and constantly attuned to my interest in, and availability for, new projects; and knows the current status of present undertakings. He can and will speak with authority in the functional areas described above.
Please communicate with us through the phone and address on this letterhead only for prompt response.
Our whereabouts will always be available there.
Please circulate this as you see fit.
And thanks a lot.
Cordially,
Truman Capote [signature]
Truman Capote [typed]
[Collection Columbia University Library]
TO DORIS ROBERTS GOYEN21
[After 9 January 1975]
Dear Mrs. Goyen—
Kindly ask your “husband” to recall the review he wrote of my book “Breakfast At Tiffany’s” and you will realize how really ludicrous your note is.22 I was helpful and kind to your friend at the beginning of his career—his response was (as it was to K. A. Porter and his former lover Stephen Spender) one of total treachery.
By the way, I think you are a very fine actress.23
Sincerely
T. Capote
[Collection Unknown]
TO JACK DUNPHY
[Key West, Florida]
2 March 1975
Dearest Jack—
I don’t know if you got my letter from Cozumel (Mexico)—what an awful place! Gloria and Loel [Guinness] rescued me from there and sent me to Nassau in their plane, where I stayed two days with the Paleys. Then came here to Key West, where have been lent a charming little house by David Wolkolsky in exchange for a week’s stay at 870.24 It is very quiet and nice, and I have finished my story Mojave, which Esquire has bought for $10,000 and which will be in their June issue. In some ways I think it is one of my best stories. Am going to do some lectures at various colleges starting March 18 and ending April 18th. Have been doing a lot of exercising and swimming and am in pretty good shape. My address here is Pier House, Key West, Florida. It is sort of breezy and not as humid as the rest of this unattractive state. If you did not get to Paris, I suppose you will.25 I seem to have recovered my creative energy and have been putting in a good many hours of solid work every day. From all I hear, it has been a mild winter in Wainscott, so maybe (crossed fingers) there won’t be any floods.26 Hope Maggie is okay, and that you have been having a productive season in your aerie. Much love, and many hugs. I miss you—
T.
[Collection Gerald Clarke]
TO WILLIAM STYRON
[Beverly Hills, Ca.]27
9 January 1976
Dear Bill—
I greatly appreciated your note about the chapter from my book.28 The reaction in many quarters has ranged from the insane to the homicidal. Still, with the support of a few well-wishers like you (not that there seem to be many of those) I guess I’ll stay the course. The next installment (really long, over 40,000 words) is scheduled for the May issue of Esquire. It’s called Unspoiled Monsters. Ha ha. Much love to Rose. You, too!
Truman
[Collection Perkins Library, Duke University]
TO JACK DUNPHY
[Beverly Hills, Ca.]
11 Jan 1976
Dear Jack and Mags
I hope you had a good flight and found everything snowy and snug in good old Verb.
I spent about four days out at the beach—most of it cleaning my studio.29 It sure needed it. The weather was a bit cold, but blue and clear, very beautiful really. I drove back to town and left the car at the Carlton garage for Mr. Bailey to collect.
I came back here yesterday and will be at this address until Feb 15th when I start my college tour (at the University of Oklahoma); I tried to get out of it altogether, but couldn’t without a real legal hassle. However, I did manage to curtail it somewhat.
I hope you have got a good dark pair of goggles. I’m sure it’s the sun that causes the eye trouble.
Am working on Answered Prayers. The next installment is now scheduled for May.
Please write me here. You too, Mags. Hugs and love galore
T.
[Collection Gerald Clarke]
TO JACK DUNPHY
[Beverly Hills, Ca.]
[2 February 1976]
Darling Jack—
Finally got both your letters out here in Dizzyland and was so happy you and Mags arrived okay, especially to catch the bus to V [Verbier]. Every centime counts these days. Speaking of which, here enclosed are some checks to pay the Verbier expenses etcetera.
The next chapter of my book (42,000 words long) is scheduled for the May Esquire and there is going to be a great photo of me (in a black Borsalino) on the cover.30
I can’t send you the address of the publisher you want until I go back to N.Y.—on Feb 20th.31 Why don’t you get it from the Donadio office?32
I have been turning down movie roles right and left—though one I am very intrigued by: Ken Russell is doing a film about Nijinsky, with Nureyev, and he wants me to play Diaghilev.33 Wouldn’t that infuriate Lincoln Kirstein!!!
I will send Maggie a bone from here.
I’m really sorry about poor Moret. The whole thing is like a Simenon novel.
Hope you are working, and getting some use out of the new ski boots. A big kiss for Mags. All love
T.
Just recvd. your letter. Here is a check for $1,500. I don’t understand why you had to borrow from Gloria [Dunphy]. Whenever you need anything for your checking account just say so.
Hugs—
T.
[Collection Gerald Clarke]
TO JACK DUNPHY
[Beverly Hills, Ca.]
3 Feb 1976
Dearest Jack—
Myrtle [Bennett] died, and I am just back from P. Springs. She was buried in a lovely quiet place in an oasis in the desert between the mountains. Now I doubt that I will ever go there again.
I found exactly the kind of bone Maggie likes, and it was sent off today. The weather has been very good—I hope your snow conditions have improved.
I will be in New York around Feb 20th for a few days and for a week or so around 1st March. The tour ends mid-April, and I certainly shall never do another.
It is now definitely settled that Esquire is devoting their entire May issue to the 42,000 word chapter from my book. So we shall see.
I hope you got the address of the ‘John Fury’ publisher. I hope you recd. my letter with the check. If you need anything suddenly while I am on tour cable me c/o Joe Fox, Random House, 201 East 50th St.
I saw the most lovely French film “The Story of Adele H.”34 You would love it. Be sure and see it.
Why don’t you call Oona [Chaplin]? I think she is very lonely and would love to see you.35 The number is Vevey 51-03-51. Also, I wish you would write Cecil [Beaton] (8 Pelham Place, London) as it would be a great kindness. I’ve had 2 letters from him—handwriting very wobbly but mind alert.36
I had to have the hedges trimmed a bit at Wainscott because Mr. Pulver refused to deliver any more gas to your tank—which meant frozen pipes etc. I arranged this through Dayton (via phone from here) and so don’t worry, all has been taken care of.
Give my love to Mme. Micheli.
Mucho mooches for Mags and love to you both—
Namurt Etopac
[Collection Gerald Clarke]
TO WILLIAM STYRON
[Hotel Fontainebleau]
[Miami, Fla.]
as from: 870 U.N. Plaza
New York, N.Y.
6 Sept. 1976
Dear Bill
The chapter (in current Esquire) from “The Promise” is a promise indeed; a pleasure to the ear and the heart—and hilarious, to boot.37 The intelligence of your work, the sensitive strength of it, always refreshes me.
You may wonder what I am doing in this empty, heat-heavy, atrocity: Miami. Well, I wanted to go some place where I could be alone, really alone, and spruce up the remaining chapters of my book. So I thought of this hideous hotel. And in a way it has worked out very well. I’ve lost 35 pounds since your birthday and am the picture of health.38 Have become a lifetime teetolar [sic], and really enjoy it. My love to Rose!
Affectionately
Truman
[Collection Perkins Library, Duke University]
TO JOHN MALCOLM BRINNIN
[Bridgehampton, N.Y.]
[21 September 1976]
Dear Heart—
G. Clarke is a very good writer and v. nice.39 You and Bill will like him. Tell him whatever you want—God knows everyone else has. I’ve lost 35 pounds, had a million dollars worth of dental work and look
