.MTYyNQ.MTQzMjE5

New address: 2709 ½ Strong's Drive Venice, Calif. May Day, 1963 Dear Jack -

     I feel good all over, in spite of being sick as an old hound dog with a virus.  I just finished underlined:  The Disinherited, which - can you believe it? -- I had never read before.  Just as the original edition heralded the renaissance of the thirties, so I think the current edition is going to spark another and better revival of left writing.
    Forgive this scrawl as I'm in bed with a fever, but I  had to tell you right away.  A great rough-hewn book, one that old Walt Whitman would have cheered for and been proud of - as you should be proud all over again.  For the book doesn't "date" at all.  It's as much of our time as is the fracas going on around Harlan County, Kentucky.  And the language is living and vibrant.  A thousand thanks for your rare gift, friend.
   I didn't know you knew Arthur Ficke.  I was in Mexico with him (& our wives) for about 6 months in 1934.  I was writing a play for the underlined:  Theatre Union that never got produced.  It's curious that you and I have never tangled; we had so many things and people in common.  We'll make it yet!