Arrows Of Longing: Correspondence Between Anaïs Nin And Felix Pollak, 1952-1976

by Gregory H. Mason (Editor), Anaïs Nin, Felix Pollak

In the winter of 1951-52, Anais Nin was a writer in despair. More than a dozen publishing houses had rejected her new novel, A Spy in the House of Love, and Nin became desperate for literary acceptance. Encouragement came from an unexpected source. Felix Pollak, an Austrian emigre and Rare Book Librarian at Northwestern University, had been entrusted with the task of acquiring some of Nin's manuscripts for the library. A longtime admirer of her work and himself an emerging poet, Pollak wrote Nin a letter of appreciation, and this quickly blossomed into an animated and devoted correspondence.Through this correspondence of over two hundred letters, both writers present nuanced self-portraits that shed fresh light on their complex personalities. Their frank and open exchange of views on life and art spanned twenty-five years. Editor Gregory H. Mason provides us with a unique insight into the development of these two writers as they grow in their friendship and as artist.

256 pages, Paperback

First published June 15, 1998

About the author

Gregory Mason is Professor Emeritus of English at Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, Minnesota.

Reviews

[Lulu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Specifically enjoyed when they got into an argument for no particular reason that went on for at least a dozen letters and ended with them not speaking for 10 years.
For real though interesting read.

[Scott Smith]

A lovely book of unrequited love/lust. Simon was a curator who had taken an interest in Nin's work. The two began corresponding and, though they only met once and occasionally broke things off, continued a long, quasi-love affair through the mail. Simon has some fascinatingly long, rant-like letters in the collection.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I knew any correspondence involving Anais Nin would energize me, but I was surprised to enjoy Felix Pollack's letters much more than hers. As expected it made me want my own literary-minded pen pal. This was a light, fun read after the first mind-numbingly dull 70 pages or so – took their correspondence a bit to gain footing and establish some real substance.