From Library Journal
Stout (English, Texas A&M Univ.), a widely published scholar whose work includes both books and articles on Willa Cather, makes an important contribution to Cather studies with this new title. Cather's heirs have honored a provision in her will that prohibits publication of the letters themselves, which will not fall into the public domain until 2017. This calendar of all her known letters, which includes paraphrases of more than 1800 letters held in over 60 different collections, builds on a brief guide to Cather letters published by Margaret O'Connor nearly 30 years ago. Stout has included a biographical directory of persons addressed or mentioned in the letters, an index of addressees, an index of names and titles mentioned, and an index to the letters arranged by the repositories that hold them. This unique book is certainly a very important addition to all literary research collections and to other libraries where Cather studies and scholars are active. Peter Dollard, Alma Coll. Lib., MI Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

"An infamous clause in Willa Cather's will, forbidding publication of her letters and other papers, has long caused consternation among Cather scholars. There is a lot to be learned from reading an author's letters. For Cather, a complex and private person who seldom made revelatory public pronouncements, personal letters provide - or would provide - an especially valuable key to understanding. But because of the terms of her will, that key is not readily available. Cather's letters will not come into public domain until the year 2017. Until then, even quotation, let alone publication in full, is prohibited." Janis P. Stout has gathered over eighteen hundred of Cather's letters - all the letters currently known to be available - and provides a brief summary of each, as well as a biographical directory identifying correspondents and a multisection index of the widely scattered letters by location, by correspondent, and by names and titles mentioned. This book will be an essential resource for Cather scholars.

FROM THE CRITICS

Library Journal