Anglo-American novelist, playwright, screenwriter, autobiographer, and diarist (1904-1986). TLS signed “Chris,” one page, 8.5 x 11, April 25, 1960. Letter to poet, novelist, and screenwriter Harry Brown, commenting on his Western novel. In part: "Well, I finished The Stars in Their Courses yesterday—most of it in three long sittings. It always sounds so idiotic to say 'I couldn't put it down,' as though one were under hypnosis. The point was, I didn't want to. Part of its powerful readability was due to its construction, of course. Your dramatic knowhow really pays off. And one gets—as you obviously intend—a strong sense of fate. Once started, nothing can stop the feud. One accepts that, absolutely. It just has to bleed itself to exhaustion.
I am greatly interested by the technique of the writing. Particularly that kind of epic song-effect, when you're speaking of Arch Eastmere, which nearly becomes verse, but not quite. Altogether, I feel you have done something quite novel and fascinating here. It seems to me I remember your telling me, long ago, 'I'm thinking of writing a novel—a western which will parallel the story of the Trojan War.' Of course I can follow a lot of parallels in this; but at the same time I admire your tact in not coming too close.
The reservation I have about this book is that I feel your heart is somehow not quite in it. You are not quite in it. It is a brilliant technical performance, and I guess your true pleasure in working on it was as a craftsman. Yes, it is beautifully made. And vividly imagined. The fights and the killings have that extra something which makes the reader believe you have seen such things happen. All I miss is the belief that you care." In fine condition. Accompanied by the original mailing envelope.
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