Tag: books of letters

I find that books of letters hold a wealth of information about bygone times and about the people who write them. I’ve a number of posts here that feature material gleaned from books of letters so be sure to type in the tag to see what other posts pop up.

I never thought I’d be more impressed with Vincent van Gogh than I was when I saw pieces of his art for the first time. Then I read his letters to his brother Theo. Not only did they hold his reading habits, which included such a broad sweep of titles it was mind-blowing, they bore poignant witness to the mental struggles he faces as he doggedly chased his dream to be an artist. He declares in a letter from Borinage, the coal-mining region of Belgium in December 1878, “I have more or less irresistible passion for books, and I want continually to instruct myself, just as much as I want to eat my bread.” And he does just that, so passionately it’s remarkable to take the literary journey with him.