LETTERS: Editorial Correspondence.
Nadine Gordimer
Correspondence 1956-79
(3 binders and one file)
Approx. 35 outgoing letters from Nadine Gordimer, ca. 1956-79. Includes ten to Leila Hadley, the American travel writer and longtime mistress of S.J. Perelman; seven to Viking editor Marshall Best; and 14 to Playboy editor Robie Macauley; together with a handful of related publishing correspondence. Throughout these engaged, often lengthy, letters, Gordimer discusses works in progress and touches on topics including contemporary South African writing; the banning of her own books in South Africa; her family; motherhood; and more.
Gordimer – Leila Hadley, 1956-79
Each of Gordimer’s lengthy, descriptive letters is affectionately addressed “Darling” or “Dearest Leila” and signed “xxx Nadine.” She describes in detail topics such as her writing; motherhood; vacationing to Hermanus, South Africa, and her “impending trip to the Congo”; and even changing her hairstyle. She also sends thanks to Hadley for Christmas gifts and other presents.
Four typed letters signed, two to three pages each; one partial letter of which only the third (final) page is extant
Three autograph letters signed, one to three pages each
Two autograph postcards signed
Autograph note signed
Telegram
Together with a typed letter signed to Matthew Smitter, Hadley’s son and Gordimer’s godson
Three typed letter carbons From Hadley to Gordimer
Highlights
Autograph letter signed, “Nadine” to Hadley, March 5, 1956; 4to.; three pages; writing from Hermanus she reflects, “Thank God I took your advice and brought Rodwell. Two servants make a holiday of this kind possible for R. & me. It is a great relief to be only a mother, wife, etc. for a while, and already I feel less mangled than I did when we left home.”
Typed letter signed, “Nadine” to Hadley, January 24, 1958; 4to.; three pages; inquiring whether Hadley has been given “the thing” to read and comments, “God knows what you’ll think of it, but whatever it is, for God’s sake, tell me. What sort of friends does one have, if they can ignore, without a word, something one’s worked on for nearly two years? Don’t you agree?” She later remarks, in part,
This month, by dint of staying at home, I’ve rewritten a story, corrected the proofs of my book, and done about a third of that Lutuli piece I’m obstinately plugging away at. The story is the one Sidney Satenstein tried to tell you about […] and it is about the crocodile hunt on the Maun river, but I don’t think you’ll mind it. The woman in it is a made-up character suggested to me by the extraordinary difference that showed, in real life, between a womanly woman like Mrs. Wilmot, and women like you and me, with our masculine protest, our desire to partake of the life of men and be in on everything.
Typed letter signed, “Nadine” to Hadley, January 11, 1960; 4to.; two pages; discussing her upcoming vacation and other topics; she closes, “My book of stories comes out in New York to-day… I got a cable from Viking saying that the reviews were good. No-one will buy it of course. Leila dear girl, forgive this egotistical letter. I wonder what you are doing; I am sure you are secretly getting on with that novel that will make Mama cut you off without a penny. But it will be worth it.”
Autograph letter signed, “Nadine” to Hadley, August, 20, 1976; 4to.; aerogram; both sides; sending thanks for presents and reporting, “I had a little girl baby on the 8th of August – a very easy birth – her name is Paula and she is very tiny – only 2 kilos 800 grms, but strong and healthy and already sweet and gentle. I thought Pascale would be jealous of her and was rather worried. But she thinks her little sister is a kitten and strokes her little head and says ‘meaow’ ‘meaow’ – so happy days!!”
Gordimer – Marshall Best, 1959-1977
Gordimer’s letters to Best discuss her recent arrival at Viking and her wish that the association “begin and continue on the right foot”; her writing, as when she r
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