Item 1664 - Letters from Charles Monteith (Faber and Faber)

1 file, 54 items

File of letters from Charles Monteith, editor at Faber and Faber, London, and long-time editor and friend of John McGahern. All letters are grouped by decade from 1960s through to 1990s.
Letters from 1960s include letter from Monteith making an offer to agree publication for "A Barrack Evening" having read extracts in 'X' magazine (14 Mar 1961, 29 Mar 1961); sending congrats to McGahern on AE award; Letter outlining response to reading of "The Pit" (The Dark) and while supportive of the book also outlining string concern that the book would be banned/censored in Ireland and also a legal risk if McGahern's father could take a case for defamation if he could be identified as the father in the book (10 June 1964); update via Easons, Dublin, that the appeal to list the ban of The Dark has been rejected and wider comments on Monteith's tour of Ireland. (20 Jul 1965); further letters through the 1960s discuss the censorship of the Dark in Ireland.

1970s: The decade begins with discussion on "Nightlines" sales and royalties, and with some editorial comments on the publishing of the book; letters with confirmation that McGahern agreed to edit a Faber Anthology of [Modern] Irish Short Stories (March - June 1971); Comments on "The Leavetaking" (1973); Comments on a 'Faber Chair' at Colgate University; thanks following a visit to the McGahern's at Leitrim (Oct 1976); detailed comments on "Getting Through" (2 Nov 1976); discussions on a literary agent (29 Jan 1975); Comments on having read a draft of "The Pornographer", calling it easily McGahern's best book to date and offering suggestions for a different title".

1980s: Letter discussing publication details and conditions for "High Ground" (1985), comments through the early 1980s on visits to the McGaherns in Ireland; letter bringing forward publication details of a three volume Faber Anthology of Irish Prose to be edited by McGahern (2 pages of letter missing) (Jan 1981), notes on Monteith's "semi-retirement" (1981).

1990s: Letters discussing a hopeful visit to Dublin to see McGahern's play "The Power of Darkness" at the Abbey Theatre (1991). Also includes booklet from memorial service and funeral of Charles Monteith. (1995).

See also file of letters from other editors and staff at Faber and Faber, P71/1647.

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16/05/2022
29/07/2025