Francis Irby Gwaltney, May 15, 1964: Difference between revisions

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I can’t make this as long a letter as I’d like to, because I’ve just been working on
I can’t make this as long a letter as I’d like to, because I’ve just been working on
Installment eight<ref>Eight installment of ''An American Dream''</ref>—I’ve managed to clear five weeks for it, and it may turn out to be the
Installment eight<ref>The eighth installment of ''An American Dream''</ref>—I’ve managed to clear five weeks for it, and it may turn out to be the longest of them all, because I have to go on until the book is done. It’s not that hard to
longest of them all, because I have to go on until the book is done. It’s not that hard to
write a hundred thousand words in eight months—I know you’ve done it often. But the
write a hundred thousand words in eight months—I know you’ve done it often. But the
trick here is to make them one hundred thousand finished words, and that makes for
trick here is to make them one hundred thousand finished words, and that makes for
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Now for some news which may be interesting to you. I’ve really missed you and
Now for some news which may be interesting to you. I’ve really missed you and
Ecey, Merry Lee and Frank, and I’d like very much to see you this summer. But why
Ecey, Merry Lee and Frank, and I’d like very much to see you this summer. But why
don’t you consider this: we’re going to Provincetown for four months, June 1 to
don’t you consider this: we’re going to [[w:Provincetown, Massachusetts|Provincetown]] for four months, June 1 to
September 30, and with any luck I hope to get a house with four bedrooms. If I do, will
September 30, and with any luck I hope to get a house with four bedrooms. If I do, will
you and Ecey consider coming east for two weeks this summer? Dandy <ref> Danielle “Dandy” is Mailer's second child</ref>, Betsy,<ref>Elizabeth Anne “Betsy" is Mailer's third child.</ref> and Susie<ref>Susy is Susan Mailer Colodro, the daughter of Mailer and his first wife Beatrice Silverman.</ref>
you and Ecey consider coming east for two weeks this summer? Dandy,<ref>Danielle “Dandy” is Mailer’s second child</ref> Betsy,<ref>Elizabeth Anne “Betsy" is Mailer’s third child.</ref> and Susie<ref>Susan Mailer Colodro, the daughter of Mailer and his first wife Beatrice Silverman.</ref> are going to be with me for June and part of July, so things will be a little cramped during
are going to be with me for June and part of July, so things will be a little cramped during
that period. But from August 1 I’m sure we’ll have plenty of room, and if you wanted to,
that period. But from August 1 I’m sure we’ll have plenty of room, and if you wanted to,
you and Ecey can bring the kids. Provincetown is a fishing village three miles long and
you and Ecey can bring the kids. Provincetown is a fishing village three miles long and
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house on the beach.)
house on the beach.)


Mike<ref>Mike is Mailer's fourth child.</ref> is now a couple of months old, and his head has slimmed down from a
Mike<ref>Michael is Mailer’s fourth child.</ref> is now a couple of months old, and his head has slimmed down from a
banana to a lemon. Much to his mother’s lack of delight I insist on calling him Lemon-
banana to a lemon. Much to his mother’s lack of delight I insist on calling him Lemon-
Head Boiks, since that is indeed his middle name: Michael Burks Mailer, Bev’s father’s
Head Boiks, since that is indeed his middle name: Michael Burks Mailer, Bev’s father’s
name being Burks Kendrick Rentz. Anyway, mike looks ¾ like Beverly, ¼ like me. He’s
name being Burks Kendrick Rentz. Anyway, Mike looks ¾ like Beverly, ¼ like me. He’s
got my head, my upper lip, and a nose which gives promise of being just as fat. He looks
got my head, my upper lip, and a nose which gives promise of being just as fat. He looks
like a squirrel and he’s got a prick on him which makes little girls’ eyes open with
like a squirrel and he’s got a prick on him which makes little girls’ eyes open with