Talking into the Typewriter Selected Letters 1973-1983 by Christina Stead with an introduction by Hilary McPhee a book by Melbourne University Publishing Limited presents the latest decade by this beloved writer seen as letter-writer. Once her husband died in 1968, alone, Christina lived in poor health, without money, drinking too much, missing her husband, enjoying the company of her family.
At first letters were compiled for publication by her friend Ron Geering.
Many letters including notes and greeting cards from a voracious letter-writer as Stead was during her life, and in particular once her husband William Blake died and she understood that it would have been impossible to re-meet with simplicity her American connections and friends, she replied to every letter received with joy, enthusiasm, writing about books, writers, political views. This one is a selection of drafts of letters and cards, sent to different people. Stead loved to rewrite letters before posting them.
An epistolary book speaking about creativity, books, travels, literature, policy, last part of the life.
What I love the most of Christina Stead as a letter-writer is her spontaneity and that "being there" for her connections with all herself.
Anna Maria Polidori
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