Letters of Sylvia Plath Volume I

Sylvia Plath (19321963) was one of the writers who defined the course of twentieth-century poetry. Her vivid daring and complex poetry continues to captivate new generations of readers and writers. In the Letters we discover the art of Plaths correspondence most of which has never before been published and is here presented unabridged without revision so that she speaks directly in her own words. Refreshingly candid and offering intimate details of her personal life Plath is playful too entertaining a wide range of addressees including family friends and professional contacts with inimitable wit and verve. The letters document Plaths extraordinary literary development: the genesis of many poems short and long fiction and journalism. Her endeavour to publish in a variety of genres had mixed receptions but she was never dissuaded. Through acceptance of her work and rejection Plath strove to stay true to her creative vision. Well-read and curious she offers a fascinating commentary on contemporary culture. Leading Plath scholars Peter K. Steinberg and Karen V. Kukil editor of The Journals of Sylvia Plath 19501962 provide comprehensive footnotes and an extensive index informed by their meticulous research. Alongside a selection of photographs and Plaths own line-drawings the editors masterfully contextualise what the pages disclose.This selection of early correspondence marks the key moments of Plaths adolescence including childhood hobbies and high school boyfriends; her successful but turbulent undergraduate years at Smith College; the move to England and Cambridge University; and her meeting and marrying Ted Hughes including a trove of unseen letters post-honeymoon revealing their extraordinary creative partnership.