Ben GreenÂman, a ficÂtion writer and ediÂtor at the New YorkÂer, has a short stoÂry colÂlecÂtion comÂing out this June. What He’s Poised To Do makes letÂters and letÂter-writÂing a theÂmatÂic focus, and even before its offiÂcial pubÂliÂcaÂtion, GreenÂman’s colÂlecÂtion has inspired a blog that encourÂages everyÂday peoÂple to write letÂters to great litÂerÂary charÂacÂters. The samÂple below gives you the gist of the project … and then some. If so inspired, send your own letÂter to: LettersWithCharacter@gmail.com.
Ernest HemÂingÂway | The Sun Also RisÂes | 1926
Dear Brett,
I find myself in the horÂriÂble posiÂtion of telling you what a truÂly terÂriÂble human being you are. I know what you’re doing with Jake and Robert when you’re very much engaged to Michael. Now, don’t give me any sob stoÂry about how you lost your “only true love” at such a young age. This gives you NO right to be a tramp. Also, half the women in Paris would agree that you are NOT charmÂing when you are drunk like you think you are. In fact I would go as far as to say you are repulÂsive in all forms of the word. OccaÂsionÂalÂly, I cringe when you speak because it is always to use someÂone. You’re despiÂcaÂble. DisÂgustÂing. You’re a pedanÂtic weeÂnie.
SinÂcereÂly,
AlexanÂdria Smith