
In this intimate, epistolary work a thoughtful narrator writes to Cornelia, a strikingly poised woman whose presence seems to command both admiration and quiet reverence. Their correspondence reveals a blend of affection, gentle rivalry, and shared curiosity, especially about the role of literature and the responsibilities of parents and critics in shaping young minds.
Through vivid recollections of summer walks, wedding memories, and candid debates on “unprintable” books, the narrator explores how Cornelia’s precise, almost austere sensibility clashes with the messy realities of contemporary fiction. Their dialogue becomes a window into the cultural anxieties of the 1920s, offering listeners a glimpse of spirited intellectual exchange set against the backdrop of privileged social circles. The piece balances wit, tenderness, and a subtle critique of censorship, inviting you to linger in the nuanced world of two minds that both challenge and complement each other.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (301K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
United States: The Atlantic Monthly Press, 1924.
Credits
Bob Taylor, hekula03 and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was produced from images made available by the HathiTrust Digital Library.)
Release date
2023-06-26
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1881–1926
A sharp-eyed critic and essayist of the early 20th century, this American man of letters helped shape public conversations about books, culture, and education. His writing brought literary criticism to a wide audience while keeping a lively, readable style.
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