A Writer
Protests
January
15, 2004
Mr. David Kipen
Book Reviewer
San Francisco Chronicle
901 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
Dear Mr. Kipen:
Since you
favorably mention my first novel, "City of Night,"
in your clownish review of my new novel, "The Life
and Adventures of Lyle Clemens," it may interest
you to know that when that first novel was published,
it received reviews as silly as yours about my new novel.
"City of Night" survived those reviews.
Just as there
were reviewers who saw the lasting power of "City
of Night" when it first appeared, so, too, important
review journals have praised my new novel: "Publishers
Weekly" awarded it a starred review; and the editors
of the best literary review in the country, "The
Los Angeles Times Book Review," named it one of the
ten best books of the year. "Library Journal"
and the Washington Post "Book World," among
others, also joined in high praise.
The reviewers
who assaulted "City of Night" have long been
forgotten--or, if remembered, relegated to derisive footnotes.
I am sure, Mr. Kipen, that you and your giddy review,
which clearly exposes long-held resentments, will enjoy
a similar fate.
Sincerely,
John Rechy
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