It was, for many, the absolute glory days of American letters. A time when names like Hemingway, Fitzgerald and Wolfe were accorded the fame and following of the biggest rock stars of today. The driving force behind these authors was a quiet, unassuming New Englander by the name of Max Perkins. Perkins was the man behind the scenes, or pages, if you will; the editor who helped discover, inspire and guide some of the most notable stories and storytellers of any age. And yet Perkins himself shunned the spotlight.
But in this inspiring biography author A. Scott Berg points the spotlight squarely where it ought to be. Deftly incorporating facts and timelines with personal letters between Perkins and his authors, Berg gives great insight not only into the minds of these writers but also to the collaborative creative effort needed to create enduring works of art.
Of F. Scott Fitgerald Perkins said : “Scott was especially sensitive to criticism. He could accept it, but as his editor you had to be sure of everything you suggested.”
And of Hemingway’s tendency to overcorrect his own writing: “Before an author destroys the natural qualities of his writing - that’s when an editor has to step in. But not a moment sooner.”
For any fan of writing and literary history like that, this story should be at the top of your reading list.
