Hearn and His Biographers; the Record of a Literary Controversy; Together with a Group of Letters from Lafcadio Hearn to Jospeh Tunison
San Francisco: The Westgate Press/Grabbhorn Press, 1930. Limited Edition. Octavo. Item #029991
Limited to 350 copies. 110 (1) pp. The mystical and rich imaginative imagery continued after his death created not only romantic and occult interest but a heated debate among scholars. The so-called Hearn controversy flared up soon after his death in Japan, when Elizabeth Bisland published his LIFE AND LETTERS (1906). Although her intentions were perfectly honorable, Bisland, glossing over certain aspects of his life, did her best to idealize her erstwhile friend. Her version, however, did not go unchallenged by another friend, George M. Gould. Introducing some new facts which were often insightful but blatantly twisted, Gould, in CONCERNING LAFCADIO HEARN (1908), concentrated his attack on those vulnerable sides of Hearn's personality. Surveying the whole controversy, Oscar Lewis, in HEARN AND HIS BIOGRAPHERS (1930), declared Hearn to be "the most loved and the most hated figure in recent literary history." This volume was the first to deal with the many views of Hearn. Bound in 1/4 decorative silk cloth over decorative paper covered boards, paper spine label. A fine copy with boards just a bit bowed, housed within a green paper covered chemise with ivory like clasp. An exceptionally nice copy.
Price: $200.00