Spring/Summer 2005 - University of Toronto Press Publishing

LITERARY STUDIESCorresponding InfluenceSelected Letters of Emily Carr and Ira DilworthEdited by Linda MorraBernard Shaw andNancy AstorEdited by J.P. WearingTHE SELECTED CORRESPONDENCE OF BERNARD SHAWEmily Carr (1871–1945) is an iconic figure inCanadian culture, known internationally for herpainting and her writing, which depicted the extraordinaryBritish Columbia mountain landscapealong with its indigenous inhabitants and their culturaliconography. Carr’s writing career came laterin her life, and as it developed, she met Ira Dilworth(1894–1962), the British Columbia RegionalDirector for CBC Radio who came to play a significantrole in her life. Corresponding Influence is acollection of selected correspondence the twoshared during the life of their friendship.Over the years, Dilworth acted variously asCarr’s editor, writing agent, sounding board, professionaland personal advisor, and most importantly,close friend and confidante. The letters providea narrative for the latter part of Carr’s life andilluminate the impression Dilworth made on thedevelopment of her writing. In addition to a criticalintroduction and annotation throughout, editorLinda Morra has included an unpublished storyby Carr called “Small’s Gold.” CorrespondingInfluence will prove essential reading to anyonehoping to understand Emily Carr’s extraordinarylife and work.Linda Morra recently completed a SSHRC postdoctoralfellowship at the University of BritishColumbia.George Bernard Shaw and Nancy Lady Astorenjoyed a close friendship for over twenty years,from the late 1920s until Shaw’s death in 1950.Although opposites in many matters – particularlypolitics – Shaw and Astor were irresistibly attractedto each other, both being unconventional firebrandswith ready wits. This collection of nearly250 letters between Shaw and Astor – as well asbetween Astor and Shaw’s wife, Charlotte, andShaw’s secretary, Blanche Patch – illustrates therewarding friendship the two shared and thenumerous issues they debated.Perhaps the most fascinating letters occur afterCharlotte’s death in 1943. Astor became concernedfor Shaw’s well-being, but his letters at this pointreveal his growing resentment with her suffocatingattentions. However, the friendship endured andthe correspondence continued.More than half of the letters in this volumehave never been published and many more appearin their entirety for the first time. Headnotes to theletters provide a contextual narrative and identifypolitical, historical, literary, and theatrical references,allusions, and other relevant information.This is a crucial edition in the highly praisedSelected Correspondence of Bernard Shaw series.J.P. Wearing is a professor emeritus in theDepartment of English at the University ofArizona.Approx. 350 pp / 6 x 9 / May 200510 colour and black-and-white imagesCloth ISBN 0-8020-3877-8 £40.00 $60.00 EApprox. 300 pp / 6 x 9 / March 2005Cloth ISBN 0-8020-3752-6 £32.00 $50.00 E23