'Send me Lane's exact address and I will forward him the MS of "[The Holy] Mountain". I've just finished re-reading the whole. My impression--which you know of--is generally strengthened. The book stands looking into very well, very well indeed.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Conrad Manuscript: Sheet
'There are books one seems to have read before, and books one doesn't want to read, books that one reads with annoyance, pleasure, exasperation or wonder; but this, your "P[oor]M[an's] H[ouse" is a book for which one seems to have waited all the time [...]. I am not a critic. [...]. I will tell you instead what has happened. I walked into my room, came up to the table you know, took up your book and opened it at the first page of the text (not of the preface). When I came to myself with a queer sense of unutterable fatigue I was still standing and I had reached page 62--not glancing through mind you, but giving each phrase, each word, each image its full value as I went.'
Hence follow 16 lines of unqualified praise.
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Conrad Print: Book
'All the same I've read your two short stories. Very good both. Very good indeed. But I am not going to think out a string of complimentary phrases for you. You are a big boy and know what "very good" means.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Conrad Manuscript: Unknown
'So I will only tell you that the 1st instalment of the novel ["The Holy Mountain"] is brilliantly effective.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Conrad Print: Serial / periodical
'I am [...] reading and dipping into and re-dipping into your blue volume ["The Holy Mountain"]. Fact is I've just banged it down this minute--and I shan't look at it now for some weeks.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Conrad Print: Book
'I must thank you for the "B[lack]wood" where your "Puffin" was really interesting.'
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Conrad Print: Serial / periodical
'I have the read the two July articles just before that period [of depression or at least writer's block] began. Evidently my dearest boy it is your synthesis, of course sketched in merely.' Hence follow three more lines of approval.
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Conrad Print: Newspaper, Serial / periodical
'The volume is very emphatically all right. In many respects better than I expected.' Hence follows a page of strong but constructive criticism.
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Conrad Print: Book
'You have given me a very invidious task.[...]. Well I have read all your copy. And the result of all my extreme fastidiousness is enclosed in the envelope. But my dear who am I to pick and choose in the stuff of a a man who can write, always has something to say and never fails on one side or the other to secure my sympathy.'
Unknown
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Joseph Conrad Manuscript: Unknown
