15.
1923:
Rapid City, Man. September 13,
1923
Dear Mr. Phelps,
I shall send the Ms. As directed.
I am very much interested in just how this will strike you.
Personally, as I have repeatedly said, I like the book. But
I also fear no publisher will dare to touch it.
Two reasons for that. The book is too outspoken with regard
to rural conditions. They will read the regard into it where
no criticism is meant. I should attack the city or the town
in the same way. I mean "represent", "tackle" not "assail".
It has long been a dream of mine to write a town novel and
a city novel after this country novel. But so far, entirely
for my own amusement, I am planning and drafting another
rural book: dealing with an old settled district. I don't
think I'll ever do it. Secondly, sexual things are dealt
with as mere facts. Conventional fiction ignores them; unconventional
fiction treats them as spicy. My book does neither: it puts
them down as one of the many weary facts that influence human
life.
There is one purely external thing I should like to have
your opinion on. With these chapters which I am sending you
now, the first "Book" or volume comprises some 120 000 words;
in other words more the M. & S. want. I have cut my original
draft to the quick; at least to the point where I do not
see any further possibility of cutting. Yes, to the point
where many things stand there as almost facts, without transitions,
without setting: the Hahn - comedy (is it?). The Standish - tragedy,
and others. But the whole book is three times as long: do
you, then, think that it will be possible to hand the whole
thing out in three separate volumes?
I am, at present, entirely at a standstill. To speak truth,
I am discouraged. The labor is endless. The reward consists
in the appreciation of a half dozen people. I ask myself
again and again, Is it worth while? The grind has begun her;
inspiration has fled. The thing seems dull to me. However,
if you think it possible to publish in three separate volumes,
I should like to test this thing out by submitting the first
volume to M. & S. If they decline, I should like to try
Knopf or Bony & Liveright or whatever the names may be.
That way I might get the external push which I need.
As for health, I am not exactly sick; but I am rather too
full of pains for my liking. However,
With best regards,
Yours truly,
F.P. Grove
