Volume 33, Number 17 · November 6, 1986
It Wasn't Knopf
By Ann Close, Reply by Helen Vendler
In response to In the Zoo of the New
(October 23, 1986)
To the Editors:
I was delighted to see Helen Vendler's review of Brad Leithauser's second book of poems, Cats of the Temple, in your October 23 issue; her readings always fascinate and instruct.
As editor of the book I was bewildered, however, by Ms. Vendler's criticism of the "promotional statement" attributed to Knopf, since none of the phrases with which she took issue was written by the publisher. A check confirms that all are from an advance review of the book by Publisher's Weekly, which was enclosed with copies sent to the critics. I hope you will inform your readers.
Ann Close
Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.
New York, NY
Helen Vendler replies:
I'm sorry I did not catch the attribution. The description still seems to me inadequate as promotional material.