Exceptional Ernest Hemingway typed letter signed with lengthy and effusive content on ''For Whom the Bell Tolls'', composed only a few weeks after he finished it. Hemingway expresses his pleasure with the novel, writing that there was ''no loose writing, no shit writing...with every word depending on every other word and goes straight for 43 chapters''. He continues in this upbeat spirit, also writing that ''I always figured to write a good one and think this is it'' and that he's ''doing [his] best work''.
Addressed to ''Esquire'' publisher Arnold Gingrich, with original mailing envelope postmarked from Havana, Cuba on 27 August 1940. Letter reads in part, with small typing errors corrected,
''...Have worked for eighteen months on a novel that turned out to be 200,000 words long. Didn't do any other writing during that time of any kind. I think you will like it. If you want will have corrected galley proof sent to you cut up to be readable. Or maybe it would be simpler to read an advance copy. I always figured to write a good one and think this is it. If it isn't will write another one but by God I would pay a lot to have written this one. I paid 2 years and a half [and] a wife and 18 months. Book of Month are printing 100,000 and Scribners 100,000 first printing. Would pay plenty more. May yet...''
Hemingway then comments on his schedule while writing ''For Whom the Bell Tolls'' and its literary quality, in part, ''...I haven't a story and article an idea nor a dime. I'm just dragged ashes empty from 18 months steady writing (every day, every day, and losts [sic] of times every night) no loose writing, no shit writing and all in the third person. And she is all one piece with every word depending on every other word and goes straight through for 43 chapters. Ben Finney read it through from 3pm to 7.30 a.m. next day without stopping...''
Hemingway then pivots to imaging the review that the novel will receive from Esquire'' literary critic William Lyons Phelps, who wrote the magazine's ''Five-Minute Shelf'' column. Phelps was often at odds with Hemingway, failing to appreciate his modernist style. In part, ''It will be funny to remember us guys all starting some of it in the earliest days [of ''Esquire'' magazine] and then have William Lyons Phelps pan you in it when you are doing your best work but a lot of other things go in circles too. And you won't have him long I hope altho I know he has never either resigned nor died yet and his first attempt at Esquire style was very touching. I have jut heard about the printing tonight so feel pretty good. Excuse me Mr. Pelps. [sic] Die on somebody's else front lawn Mr. Phelps. Fxxk you Mr. Phelps...''
Elsewhere in the letter, Hemingway discusses hunting at Sun Valley, in part, ''Am going to work for PM in the late fall at the war. Wanted to shoot sept. oct. and early November with the boys out in Idaho. Whyn't you come out to Sun Valley to get me to fulfill my obligations. You would be welcome and it would be swell to see you. I will be there through Sept. and Oct. Early Sept up on the middle fork of the Salmon. Rest of the time shooting...''
With much more content including Hemingway referring to the year of 1940 by writing ''If it is still 1940 couldn't I maybe get in the magazine so as not to break our annual record?'' He also writes, ''Have to get the Pilar [Hemingway's yacht] back and then drive and fly across country starting next thursday. This is this Monday...[signed in pencil] Ernest''.
An exceptional letter, filled with Hemingway's palpable delight and exhaustion after completing his famous novel. Single page letter measures 8.5'' x 11'' with Air Mail envelope measuring 6.5'' x 3.5''. Tear to envelope from opening, overall near fine condition.