The Nation

20 Vesey Street
New York

November 22, 1920

Dear Mr. Lewis:

I can't lay claim to the review of your book which
appeared in The Nation, for Lewisohn wrote that, but I am glad
that that and my own review did draw a letter from you. It may
look as if I were taking a high moral tone in talking about your
responsibility. I assure you I don't mean to do that. "Main
Street" is too good a book to take a high moral tone about. You
may be interested to know that at Columbia University everybody
seems to be reading the book, and one of my colleagues there
recently argued with a whole gang of men at luncheon that your book
is the most truthful novel ever written. Perhaps that is going
at it a little strong. Still the book is fearfully truthful.
I come from Illinois myself, and I know a half dozen towns just
like Gopher Prairie. It is true, however, that the real country
and the towns a little bigger than Gopher Prairie seem to me a
good deal better than the 3000-population towns.

My curiosity is hot for your handling of the bigger
city. I know, though, that it will be a job.

I hardly ever come to Washington, but you may be
sure I shall try to get at you if I do come. And if you are
in New York I must see you.

Sincerely yours,
Carl Vry Donen
Literary Editor

Mr. Sinclair Lewis
1639 Nineteenth Street NW
Washington, D.C.

CARL VAN DOREN

41 CENTRAL PARK WEST
NEW YORK 23

11 May 1947

Dear Red:

What with no time and no eyes I had to leave Kingsblood unread till last night, when it kept me hot as a bridegroom till four this morning, and then so excited I could barely get to sleep for the rest of the dark hours. What pace! What passion! You have never told a story with more running, convincing fire. As argument it is of course overwhelming. But I was particularly struck by the rich variety of situations you imagined for Neil and Vestal, and always came through with some brilliant unexpected insight. For hours I was myself part Negro, in the official sense. Your handling of Vestal, by the way, is masterly: just the right amount of type, just the right saving grace of individual. And your panorama of Negroes, good and bad, and of white amalgamated sons of bitches is tremendous. To coin the only phrase there is, it is Sinclair Lewisian. I'll talk more about it when I see you this summer, as I bloody well intend to. Also, thank you for your wonderful inscription in my book.