The selected letters of Anthony Hecht
By: edited with an introduction by Jonathan F.S. Post
Contributors: Post, Jonathan F. S., 1947-
Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
Published: 2013
Place of publication: Baltimore
Language: eng
Number of pages: 365
ISBN-13: 9781421407302; 9781421407852
Subjects: Correspondence; American Poets
Work titles: Correspondence
Description: Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Anthony Hecht (1923-2004) was known not only for his masterful control of form and language but also for his wit and humor. With the help of Helen Hecht, the poet's widow, Jonathan F. S. Post combed through more than 4,000 letters to produce an intimate look into the poet's mind and art across a lifetime. The letters range from Hecht's early days at summer camp to college at Bard, to the front lines of World War II, to travels abroad in France and Italy, to marriage, and to fame as a poet and critic. Along the way, Hecht corresponded with well-known poets such as John Hollander, James Merrill, Anne Sexton, and Richard Wilbur. Those interested in the lives of contemporary poets will read these highly personal letters with delight and surprise.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Childhood and college, 1935-1943; title: World war II, 1943-1946; title: Back home and abroad, 1946-1953; title: Marriage and single life, 1954-1967; title: A second life, 1968-1982; title: Critic and poet, 1983-1992; title: The flourish of retirement, 1993-2004.