Praeder's Letters: A Novel in Verse

by James Baker Hall

Overview

Paul Praeder—an immensely complex character with the bravado of a Hemingway hero, the literary erudition and despair of Berryman’s Dream Songs persona, and the dark, self-destructive magnetism of Conrad’s Captain Kurtz—is a new and disturbing addition to the pantheon of American literary characters. His story unfolds over his 30-year correspondence with a young poet, and it is a story of lost moral compass, in which artistic integrity is traded for commercial success, and friendship and fidelity fall to lust and greed.

James Baker Hall is currently the Poet Laureate of Kentucky.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781889330792
Publisher:	Sarabande Books
Publication date:	10/01/2002
Edition description:	1ST
Pages:	120
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.40(d)

Read an Excerpt

1.15.1956 / Dear Billy my lad Through channels as intricate as life itself I have to hand a copy of Stylus Thank you thank you Indeed I am not dead though more I cannot say You are God bless you one of the three people in the world who conceivably could care I sound intolerably grim about it after all it is a witty poem worthy of your fine mind & I am honored to find my name attached honored is hardly the word but frankly excuse me I am moved by this deeply & as usual unable to express myself forgive me Thank you thank you but Billy it does take me back your poem hurls me back with such emptiness.