Letters
Copyright © 1979 by John Barth
All rights reserved
This book or parts thereof must not be reproduced
in any form without permission.
Published simultaneously in Canada
by Longman Canada Limited, Toronto.
Designed by Helen Barrow
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Barth, John.
Letters.
I. Title.
PZ4.B284Le 1979 [PS3552.A75] 813’.5’4
ISBN 0-399-12425-X
79-13503
Printed in the United States of America
Third Impression
for Shelly
B:
Todd Andrews to his father.
The death and funeral of Harrison Mack, Jr.
D:
A. B. Cook IV to his unborn child.
The origins of the Castines, Cookes, and Burlingames.
G:
The Author to the Reader.
LETTERS
is “now” begun.
I:
The Author to Whom It May Concern.
Three concentric dreams of waking.
N:
The Author to Lady Amherst.
Politely declining her invitation.
N:
Lady Amherst to the Author.
Rejecting his counterinvitation.
O:
Lady Amherst to the Author.
Reconsidering.
T:
Jacob Horner to Jacob Horner.
Progress and Advice.
R:
A. B. Cook IV to his unborn child.
The history of A. B. Cooke III: Pontiac’s conspiracy.
H:
The Author to Todd Andrews.
Accepting the latter’s demurrer.
I:
The Author to Lady Amherst.
Accepting her rejection of his counterinvitation.
M:
The Author to Lady Amherst.
Crossed in the mails. Gratefully accepting her change of mind.
E:
Lady Amherst to the Author.
Her introduction to the Menschhaus.
E:
Lady Amherst to the Author.
Not pregnant. The “prenatal” letters of A. B. Cook IV.
S:
Todd Andrews to his father.
His life’s recycling. Jane Mack’s visit and confession. 10 R.
I:
Jacob Horner to the Author.
Declining to rewalk to the end of the road.
S:
Jerome Bray to Drew Mack.
LILYVAC’s LEAFY ANAGRAM.
S:
The Author to Jacob Horner.
The story of a story called
What I Did Until the Doctor Came.
T:
Lady Amherst to the Author.
The Marshyhope Commencement debacle, and its consequences.
E:
Todd Andrews to his father.
Further evidence that his life is recycling: 11 R.
L:
Lady Amherst to the Author.
Despair at Ambrose’s infidelity. Their Fifth Stage.
R:
Lady Amherst to the Author.
The Battle of Niagara. Surgery for Magda. Lady Amherst desperate.
Y:
Lady Amherst to the Author.
Odd business in Buffalo.
V:
Todd Andrews to his father.
His Second Dark Night of the Soul. 13 R.
I:
Jacob Horner to Jacob Horner.
His discovery that he is in love.
A:
Jerome Bray to the Author.
The
Gadfly
Illuminations.
C:
Ambrose Mensch to Yours Truly.
A lull on Bloodsworth Island.
N:
Lady Amherst to the Author.
The Sixth Stage of her affair. The Scajaquada Scuffle.
V:
Lady Amherst to the Author.
Distress at Mensch’s Castle.
E:
Todd Andrews to his father.
13 R, a visit from Polly Lake, a call from Jeannine.
N:
Todd Andrews to the Author.
A series of 21’s and an intention to bequeath.
C:
Jerome Bray to Bea Golden.
Inviting her to star in the first epic of Numerature.
H:
Jerome Bray to his parents.
An ultimatum.
T:
The Author to Ambrose Mensch.
Soliciting his advice and assistance in the
LETTERS
project.
U:
The Author to Ambrose Mensch.
Replying to the latter’s telephone call of the previous night.
F:
Todd Andrews to his father.
His last cruise on the skipjack
Osborn Jones.
I:
Draft codicil to the last will and testament of Todd Andrews.
S:
Jacob Horner to Todd Andrews.
The end of
Der Wiedertraum.
A:
A. B. Cook VI to his son.
A summons to Fort McHenry and to the Second 7-Year Plan.
O:
Jerome Bray to his grandmother.
His business finished, he prepares to ascend to her.
A:
The Author to Germaine Pitt and Ambrose Mensch.
An alphabetical wedding toast.