Letter from Louise Kertesz to Muriel Rukeyser

Title

Creator

Louise Kertesz

Description

An original typewritten letter dated September 11th, 1979. The letter is from Louise Kertesz to Muriel Rukeyser. Louise begins the letter by saying that it was good to talk with Rukeyser last night. Louise had written to her editor, Marie Blanchard, at LSU Press, and Louise had requested that they send Rukeyser a copy of the page proof when it is available. Louise is waiting for the review that Rukeyser spoke of on the phone. Louise was pleased to see the Thomas Lask review in the Times. Louise thinks that Lask can use her book for better reading in some of the poems, such as “Pouring the Milk Away”, which he did not read in the context of all of Rukeyser’s work. Lask stated that “Every experience has to be significant”, while Kenneth Rexroth argues that the poems show “...a philosophy of life which comes out of [your] own flesh and bones”. Louise states that “...with your history and response to the times, every experience is significant, is political and personal. Louise does want her book to be useful to Rukeyser’s readers, and Louise has been encouraged by Eberhart’s comments that it will be. Louise informs Rukeyser that Michael True of Assumption is receiving a copy of the page proof,and he says he will try to place a review in The Chronicle of Higher Education. Margaret Weeks at The Chronicle had also been informed by the Press of True’s interest in a follow-up of hsi review of Rukeyser’s Collected Poems. Some time ago, Louise and the Press had asked Jane Cooper if she would receive the page proofs in order to review the book. Louise received no response from her. Louise had also contacted Grace Schulman and William Meredith, offering page proofs for advance comment. Louise does not know if they responded. Denise Levertov also declined a request for advanced comment. Hayden Carruth will be getting a copy of the book for a review. If there is anyone else that Rukeyser would recommend for a review, Louise will contact tahem. Louise ends the letter by saying that she hopes that Rukeyser is well, and she hopes that she will be pleased with the book when she sees it..

Date Created

September 11th, 1979

Original Object Type

Paper

Subject

letter; louise kertesz; muriel rukeyser; marie blanchard; louisiana state university press; pouring the milk away; thomas lask; kenneth rexroth; margaret weeks; the chronicle; the press of true’s interest’ The Collected Poems of Muriel Rukeyser; The Poetic Vision of Muriel Rukeyser; the Chronicle of Higher Education; Jane Cooper; Grace Schulman; William Meredith; Denise Levertov; Hayden Carruth;

Collection Location

Box 1 Folder 11

Cataloger

Latitude Brown

Item