Merrill, James

Collected Prose (Uncorrected Proof)

ISBN: 0375411364
New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf, 2004. Uncorrected Proof. Softcover. "Following on the heels of his Collected Poems and Collected Novels and Plays, this volume gives us James Merrill at his most intimate: interviews, essays, and a memoir that illuminate his development as a poet and as a man. Merrill's prose- though he claimed to dislike writing it- is conversational and witty, his observations delightful and unexpected. Here are essays about (Constantine P.) Cavafy and Dante (Alighieri), and remembrances of Truman Capote and M.F.K. Fisher. He writes, too, about "the dazzling air, the drowsy waterfronts" of the Greece that was his home for many years. He explains, in a fascinating interview, the techniques he and his partner David Jackson used at the Ouija board when he transcribed the letters and words that became the startling trilogy The Changing Light at Sandover. Most revealing, and perhaps most enchanting, is A Different Person, Merrill's memoir of his young life, in which he travels to Europe, comes of age as a gay man, and faces his legacy as the son of the powerful financier Charles Merrill." (from promotional page) A comprehensive collection of prose by James Merrill (1926-1995), the canonical, Pulitzer Prize-winning American poet, playwright & novelist who was a scion of the Merrill-Lynch financial empire. Offered here is an uncorrected proof issued prior to publication of this door-stopper compendium, large-format softcover in pale green wrappers with "Publication Date: 30 October 2004" stated at front cover; "First Edition" as stated on copyright page. Co-edited & with an introductory note by J.D. McClatchy (1945-2018), the noted American poet & critic; & Stephen Yenser (b. 1941), another acclaimed American poet & critic- both of whom were colleagues of Merrill & co-executors of his literary estate. From the collection of George Bornstein (1941-2021), scholar, author & academician here at the University of Michigan- a True Man of Letters who was a dearly missed friend & mentor to this writer. A magisterial Merrill collectible in a particularly rare pre-publication form & with distinguished provenance. In relatively very fine condition with only a hint of rubbing to front, back covers & spine; a bit of wear & some tiny bumps, creases at edges & corners of same; one faint crease each across length of both covers; one much smaller, faint crease at lower-right area of front cover; one very small area with minor loss of pale green-colored surface paper at lower-left-middle area of blank back cover; occasional very small areas of rubbing, spotting to edges of text block. Interior very fine with only tiny bumps, faint creases at corners of a few page leaves. Very Fine. [Item #5973]

Price: $80.00