The selected letters of D. H. Lawrence
By: compiled and edited by James T. Boulton.
Contributors: Boulton, James T.
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 1996
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 524
Subjects: Lawrence, D. H. (David Herbert), 1885-1930 -- Correspondence; Authors, English -- 20th century -- Correspondence
Description: Lawrence's renowned creativity is conspicuous in his letters. Here in over 330 of them - many first published in the acclaimed seven-volume Cambridge Edition - are exemplified the remarkable variety and inventiveness he could command. He corresponded with the elite - aristocrats, fellow authors, painters, publishers and others from the intelligentsia; but not with these only.

With equal concern he wrote to his sisters, a childhood friend suffering from tuberculosis, a Post Office clerk or an Italian servant-girl. Lawrence revelled in the act of communication, using a direct, unvarnished but invariably vivid style appropriate to each correspondent. His letters are notable for expressive and imaginative energy, wit and comedy, the tender and the tempestuous, combined with an extraordinary sensitivity to the natural world as well as to the human condition - and much besides.

Few English letter-writers offer a comparable range of interest. In his introductory essay James Boulton provides a rare critical assessment of Lawrence's epistolary achievement. In addition to the annotated texts of the letters, also included are a biographical list of Lawrence's correspondents; brief chronological and descriptive introductions to each section; and a full general index.
Notes: "With one exception the letters in this volume are based on the texts in the Cambridge University Press edition of The letters of D.H. Lawrence (1979-93)"--Pref. Includes bibliographical references and index.

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