Description
Of the ten thousand letters that Aldous Huxley wrote, only a fraction have been published. Those that were once considered too sensitive for publication can now be included in a wholly new collection. James Sexton's thoughtful selection opens new perspectives on one of the giants of prose. Huxley's letters movingly depict his courageous battle with almost total blindness. Later letters to his patroness demonstrate the brilliance that would soon gain Huxley an international reputation as one of his generation's major satirists. Gradually the letters reveal a shift from cynical satirist to a committed critic of fascism. The letters also provide plentiful insights into the London and New York theater scenes, and vivid discussions of Hollywood's film industry.
About the Author
Aldous Huxley is best known for his novels Brave New World, Antic Hay, and Point Counter Point, and essays. James Sexton teaches English at Camosun College in Victoria, British Columbia.
Reviews
Aldous Huxley's letters represent a valuable contribution to literary history-and an entertaining one. They reflect his high seriousness, and the extraordinary range of his cultural interests; at the same time they abound in witty gossip and shrewdly observed social detail. They also reveal many unexpected aspects of his personality and his private life. The Huxley who emerges from these pages is both formidable and very human. He can sometimes be arrogant or wrong-headed, too-but that doesn't make him any less readable. -- John Gross
A fascinating and revelatory glimpse into the mental engine room of one of the twentieth-century's most commanding men of letters. Huxley knew everybody, and everybody knew him: these letters provide a vital record of an extraordinary moment in Europe's history as well as a portrait of an extraordinary man. A volume as entertaining as it is illuminating. -- Roger Kimball
These newly published letters of Aldous Huxley are like the discovery of buried treasure. It is as if some leading figure from the Age of Enlightenment had survived into the present. Expressing himself so naturally and often wittily in these letters, he sets a lasting example of intelligence and humanity. -- David Pryce Jones
His reading was immense, his taste was impeccable, and his ear acute...His place in English literature is unique and is certainly assured. -- T. S. Eliot
Huxley was among the few writers who played with ideas so freely, so gaily, with such virtuosity, that the responsive reader was dazzled and excited. -- Isaiah Berlin
"An illuminating work.... Sexton helps reveal Huxley more fully than ever before." * Publishers Weekly *
A book of letters, many previously unpublished, reinforces the impression that Aldous Huxley was attracted to eccentric ideas ... ENGROSSING. * The New York Times *
Main pleasures here derive from correspondence with two women, one of whom Huxley shared as a lover with his wife. * The New York Times *
Brings a new perspective on the personal and intellectual life of a giant of modern English prose. * Sarasota Herald-Tribune *
Remarkable scope...its hundreds of never-before-published letters recommend it for large academic libraries. -- Paulina Taglienti * Library Journal *
Letters extend one's sense of Huxley's ubiquitous presence in 20th-century intellectual society....Attractive collection represents diligent research....Recommended. * CHOICE *
A powerful gathering of his personal and intellectual life in letters-most of them published for the first time. * Midwest Book Review *
We see Huxley's full range: husband, traveler, lover, aesthete, and scathing social commentator....Sexton has done an invaluable service. -- ELLIE THERMANSEN * The New Criterion *
There are wonderful things in these letters: dazzling historical, literary-critical and etymological excursions; very funny gossip; reflections on Huxley's writing...and on his increasingly religious reading and sympathies. -- JEREMY TREGLOWN * Times Literary Supplement *
Sexton's attractive collection represents diligent research in dozens of libraries, and his useful introduction places the letters in the context of Huxley's life and friendships. * CHOICE *
Book Information
ISBN 9781566636292
Author Aldous Huxley
Format Hardback
Page Count 512
Imprint Ivan R Dee, Inc
Publisher Ivan R Dee, Inc
Weight(grams) 898g
Dimensions(mm) 241mm * 166mm * 42mm
About the Author
Aldous Huxley is best known for his novels Brave New World, Antic Hay, and Point Counter Point, and essays. James Sexton teaches English at Camosun College in Victoria, British Columbia.
Reviews
Aldous Huxley's letters represent a valuable contribution to literary history-and an entertaining one. They reflect his high seriousness, and the extraordinary range of his cultural interests; at the same time they abound in witty gossip and shrewdly observed social detail. They also reveal many unexpected aspects of his personality and his private life. The Huxley who emerges from these pages is both formidable and very human. He can sometimes be arrogant or wrong-headed, too-but that doesn't make him any less readable. -- John Gross
A fascinating and revelatory glimpse into the mental engine room of one of the twentieth-century's most commanding men of letters. Huxley knew everybody, and everybody knew him: these letters provide a vital record of an extraordinary moment in Europe's history as well as a portrait of an extraordinary man. A volume as entertaining as it is illuminating. -- Roger Kimball
These newly published letters of Aldous Huxley are like the discovery of buried treasure. It is as if some leading figure from the Age of Enlightenment had survived into the present. Expressing himself so naturally and often wittily in these letters, he sets a lasting example of intelligence and humanity. -- David Pryce Jones
His reading was immense, his taste was impeccable, and his ear acute...His place in English literature is unique and is certainly assured. -- T. S. Eliot
Huxley was among the few writers who played with ideas so freely, so gaily, with such virtuosity, that the responsive reader was dazzled and excited. -- Isaiah Berlin
"An illuminating work.... Sexton helps reveal Huxley more fully than ever before." * Publishers Weekly *
A book of letters, many previously unpublished, reinforces the impression that Aldous Huxley was attracted to eccentric ideas ... ENGROSSING. * The New York Times *
Main pleasures here derive from correspondence with two women, one of whom Huxley shared as a lover with his wife. * The New York Times *
Brings a new perspective on the personal and intellectual life of a giant of modern English prose. * Sarasota Herald-Tribune *
Remarkable scope...its hundreds of never-before-published letters recommend it for large academic libraries. -- Paulina Taglienti * Library Journal *
Letters extend one's sense of Huxley's ubiquitous presence in 20th-century intellectual society....Attractive collection represents diligent research....Recommended. * CHOICE *
A powerful gathering of his personal and intellectual life in letters-most of them published for the first time. * Midwest Book Review *
We see Huxley's full range: husband, traveler, lover, aesthete, and scathing social commentator....Sexton has done an invaluable service. -- ELLIE THERMANSEN * The New Criterion *
There are wonderful things in these letters: dazzling historical, literary-critical and etymological excursions; very funny gossip; reflections on Huxley's writing...and on his increasingly religious reading and sympathies. -- JEREMY TREGLOWN * Times Literary Supplement *
Sexton's attractive collection represents diligent research in dozens of libraries, and his useful introduction places the letters in the context of Huxley's life and friendships. * CHOICE *
Book Information
ISBN 9781566636292
Author Aldous Huxley
Format Hardback
Page Count 512
Imprint Ivan R Dee, Inc
Publisher Ivan R Dee, Inc
Weight(grams) 898g
Dimensions(mm) 241mm * 166mm * 42mm
