Journal of a Novel : The East of Eden Letters, Paperback by Steinbeck, John, ISBN 0140144188, ISBN-13 9780140144185, Brand New, Free shipping in the US
Each working day from January 29 to November 1, 1951, John Steinbeck warmed up to the work of writing <b>East of Eden</b> with a letter to the late Pascal Covici, his friend and editor at The Viking Press. It was his way, he said, of "getting my mental arm in shape to pitch a good game."<p> </p><p>Steinbeck's letters were written on the left-hand pages of a not in which the facing pages would be filled with the test of <b>East of Eden</b>. They touched on many subjects—story arguments, trial flights of workmanship, concern for his sons.</p><p>Part autobiography, part writer's workshop, these letters offer an illuminating perspective on Steinbeck's creative process, and a fascinating glimpse of Steinbeck, the private man.</p>