During the twenty-two years of their married life, W. B. and George Yeats corresponded regularly and fully whenever they were apart. They discussed his writing and other projects, their family and friends, and the social, artistic, and political scene in Ireland and the United Kingdom in far more detail than with anyone else. Both were splendid and enchanting storytellers. This edition includes 149 letters from George, 436 from W. B., and 29 written to their children. Anne, who lived at home, preserved 22 from her father and several important ones from her mother; when both her parents were away. The letters include fascinating drafts of poems, statements of belief, candid descriptions of people and events, and in some cases offer biographical and historical corrections to the popular narrative of Yeats's life. Like Oscar Wilde, Yeats frequently practised a phrase or an anecdote to provide the best effect in his correspondence. And not for nothing would he write to his wife, 'you are much the best letter writer I know, or have known'. The letters between them not only tell the story of the marriage of two minds and the world they created, but also illuminate how Yeats worked on his writing and reveal a refreshing image of the poet as a family man.

About the Author
A Canadian by birth, Ann Saddlemyer has published extensively on Irish and Canadian theatre and edited the plays of J.M.Synge, Lady Gregory and the letters between the founding Directors of the Abbey theatre. Her most recent publication is the authorized biography of Mrs W B Yeats. She has taught at the University of Victoria, British Columbia, New York University (where she held the Berg chair), and the University of Toronto where she has been Director of the Graduate Centre for Study of Drama and the Master of Massey College.

Reviews
There is no doubt that The Letters is another achievement in the history of Yeatsian studies. This fastidiously noted work is able to cast a light on the nature of the feelings that bound W.B. Yeats to his wife. * Arianna Gremigni, Studi Irlandesi: A Journal of Irish Studies *
Recommended as a Book of the Year 2011 * Lisa Hilton, Times Literary Supplement *
Incomparably annotated by Ann Saddlemyer, this is a magnificent book, revealing the drives and needs of genius being comprehended and accommodated in a more or less domestic setting. * Lisa Hilton, Times Literary Supplement *
The book captures the unique relationship between Yeats and George * Irish Daily Mail *
The Letters are brilliantly annotated by Ann Saddlemyer * Sunday Business Post *
illustrate(s) their unusual relationship * Adrian Frazier, Irish Times *
these fascinating letters and the excellence of this edition of them will provide much food for thought for Yeats scholars and those interested in the wider cultural history of these isles in the period. * Tom Walker, Irish Studies Review *
provides a fresh perspective * Oldie *



Book Information
ISBN 9780198184386
Author Ann Saddlemyer
Format Hardback
Page Count 638
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 1g
Dimensions(mm) 240mm * 161mm * 39mm