<> Boyd Letters Boyd Estate 1958 May 21st Linen Hall Library Wednesday, March 16, 2016 TIFF Boyd020 Letter Karenina, County Down English https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/content/boyd020 Linen Hall Library Linen Hall Library Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike CC BY-NC-SA https://www.niliteraryarchive.com/sites/default/files/Boyd020_3.jpg LHL Archive 21 May, 1958. My dear Frank: It was good to hear from you. I have not answered before this because I wanted to meet Miss McColl and also to read her work. I have now done both. She is a middle aged woman who comes from Co. Louth and has been living in Belfast for the last ten years or so with her sister. She is a complete natural and doesn't know Orahm Greene exists. I have read the "Cut the Cards" story and will have it broadcast, and I have asked her to bring in for me some manu- scripts. I agree with you that there is beautiful feeling in her work when it comes out pure. Thank God she isn't widely read: but she tells me that Anna Karenina is her favourite novel, that Trollope is the gre test English novelist, and that Frank O'Connor is the greatest living short story writer. She has heard F. O'C broadcast from Belfast and has also read four of his best stories in, I think, some newspaper or other. And she has no doubt about him. She also tells me that you have said that I am the best critic in the British Isles - or is it in County Down, I am not sure which. Anyhow we are all happy. I am seeing her again next week and shall report to you in due course. Ah me, she asked about the mood story but I changed the subject. I will do my best with her. Your other news is good. Congratulations to you both on the baby. Good news too that you are coming home in September. I shall see my legal adviser, Mr. McFadden, and guarantee you safe conduct to and from Belfast. What about a broadcast in the Fall? I enjoyed The Mirror very much indeed and should have told you that before this. However, if you are not the world's worse corres- pondent you do qualify for the second prize. I am going over to London for a visit and shall see Bill and Erna We shall drink your health. Ever (John Boyd) Talks Froducer, N.I.Region Frank O'Connor Esq., 160 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, I, N.Y. JB/FJ Text