Letters from Amherst: Five Narrative Letters

Five significant letters written from 1989 to 1991 by Samuel Delany offer insights into his work, relationships, and life in Amherst and New York City. He discusses his own work, other writers' work, the state of America, friends facing AIDS, and the politics of academia. Two letters became the basis of his 1995 graphic novel, Bread & Wine, and another details his family's life in 1950s Harlem. An appendix shares ten letters Delany sent to his daughter while she attended summer camp.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 160 pages
Publication date: 05 January 2021
Publisher: University Press of New England

Five substantial letters written from 1989 to 1991 transport readers into a captivating conversation with the acclaimed Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author Samuel Delany. Through his engaging prose, Delany delves into the intricacies of his work, his relationships, and the profound thoughts that inhabited his mind during his time in Amherst, Massachusetts, where he taught as a professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst campus just outside of town. In stark contrast to the chaotic life of New York City, these letters offer a glimpse into the quieter, more introspective world of Delany. Alongside commentary on his own literary endeavors and the works of other writers, Delany reflects on the state of America, discusses his friends who are grappling with AIDS and other ailments, and offers insightful observations on the politics of academia.

Two of these letters, in particular, take on a poignant and personal dimension. They recount the story of Delany's meeting with his life partner, Dennis, and subsequently became the basis of his 1995 graphic novel, "Bread & Wine." Another letter describes the funeral of Delany's uncle, Hubert T. Delany, a former judge and renowned civil rights activist, leading to reflections on his family's life in 1950s Harlem. Yet another details a visit from the esteemed science fiction writer and critic Judith Merril, while another offers a captivating portrait of his one-time student, Octavia E. Butler, who had since become his colleague.

In addition to these personal letters, an appendix provides a glimpse into Delany's daily life through ten letters he sent to his daughter while she attended summer camp between 1984 and 1988. These letters offer a candid and intimate account of Delany's experiences, encompassing visits to his upper-west-side apartment, work-related travels, lectures attended, movies viewed, and exhibits seen. They serve as a testament to his multifaceted existence and the rich tapestry of his life.

Through these letters, readers gain a profound insight into the mind and heart of a literary legend, as Samuel Delany shares his thoughts, experiences, and profound reflections with a captivated audience.

Weight: 290g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780819578518