American novelist, essayist, and short story writer (born 1964) perhaps best known for his 1999 work Motherless Brooklyn, a National Book Critics Circle Award-winning novel that achieved mainstream success. TLS, two pages, 8.5 x 11, no date (circa early 1980s). An early letter from Jonathan Lethem to influential writer Bernard Wolfe, in part: “You don’t know me. I am a ‘fan.’ I’ve read whatever of yours I could lay my hands on for years (well, four years) but, and you’ll have to excuse me, I thought you were dead. When I recently got your address (via P.E.N.) I decided I wanted to write to you and let you know you’ve left a lasting impression on a fairly literate and well-read fellow human being. I stumbled across Limbo in a used bookshop (actually I was working in the used bookshop)…took it home, read it, and immediately decided it was one of the better science-fiction novels I had read at the time…Since then I’ve come across The Great Prince Die, Come on Out Daddy, The Magic of their Singing, Really the Blues, Logan’s Gone, and a short story collection Move Up, Etc. I’ve read them all…I also bought an autographed copy of Limbo, this time with the dust jacket. I have a somewhat reverent attitude about books as objects, and it’s one of my treasures…Perhaps it would help you in assessing whether or not these are the ravings of a lunatic if I listed some of the other modern authors I read: the British: Amis, Burgess, Durell. The south americans: Borges and Cortazar. Science fiction: Dick, Aldiss, Ballard, Lem, Colin Wilson. Henry Miller, Italo Calvino, Richard Brautigan. Mailer, Burroughs (William S.)…etc. Anyway, I think you’re very neglected…Some of your books are icons.” Lethem signs at the conclusion in fountain pen and adds his name and address in pencil at the top of the first page: “Jonathan Lethem, 439 State St., Brooklyn, N.Y. 11217.” In fine condition, with scattered light staining.
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