The Letters of William Gaddis

Praise

“In these letters, Gaddis praises readers who simply appreciate how entertaining, how funny, his richly allusive novels can be. . . . [I]f you’re a Gaddis devotee, you should definitely acquire this superbly edited collection of his letters.” —Michael Dirda, The Washington Post

“The version of Young Gaddis we get from these early letters will resonate with anyone who’s held artistic ambitions. He’s callow, largely unread, generally ignorant of just how ignorant he is, charming, brave, and foolish.” —Biblioklept

“Gaddis’ letters make for remarkable, stimulating reading. . . . These letters will surely be rewarding for those who have found common cause with Gaddis’ novels, and they should be read by anyone who seriously cares about being a writer or understanding the struggles of the true artist in a capitalist society.” —Veronica Esposito, Barnes and Noble Review

“A welcome book for those of us who want to learn of the financial, legal, and marital challenges Gaddis faced while writing what is without question some of the most profound—if still seldom read—literature of the 20th century.” —Andrew Ervin, The Philadelphia Inquirer

“The most interesting early letters are those in which the would-be novelist practices his voice. It is touching to discover that Gaddis, whose writerly authority is so pronounced and unassailable in the novels, had in fact to struggle for his style.” —Len Gutkin, Los Angeles Review of Books

“[T]he Letters constitute a telling self-portrait, one that reads like a powerful if admittedly difficult (that word again!) novel, in which much of the action takes place outside of the narrative proper.” —Justin Taylor, Observer

“The publication of The Letters of William Gaddis is significant because it presents the first direct and unveiled access to this ‘reclusive’ author.” —Emmett Stinson, Sydney Review of Books