DAVID H. WALKER - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 02/15/1979 - HFSID 206143

DAVID H. WALKER
The British soldier turned Canadian novelist signs a typed letter, reflecting on what gives lasting importance to a literary work.
Typed Letter signed: "David Walker", 1 page, 8½x11. St Andrews, New Brunswick, 1979 February 15. On personal letterhead to John Norbutt. In full: "Thank you for your letter of January 31st, and for your courtesy in sending me a stamp coupon. I wish you all success in your rehabilitation work. No service to humanity could be more worthy. Your friends asked two questions: First, what gives a literary work lasting importance? This is a big and difficult subject, but I suppose the first requirement is that it should have quality, and the second and more important thing is that it should be true, not only of now or then, but of any time. Second, having the imagination necessary to the writing of fiction is, I suppose, much what you suggest, a blessing and a bit of a damnation. It is, of course, a lonely life, in that you can do the job only by yourself, and do not have the comfort of communication with other people, as is possible in almost any other occupation. These are rather sketchy answers. All I can say about writers or about anyone else is that one seeks the comfort of serenity within oneself. I am enclosing four paperbacks of my books, [Items not included.] with every good wish to you, and to those with whom you spend your working life. Yours sincerely". David H. Walker (1911-1992) was born in Scotland and graduated from the Royal Military Academy (Sandhurst) in 1931. In 1940, serving with the Scots Highlanders in France, he was captured by the German army and spent the rest of war as a P.O.W. (He escaped three times.) In 1946, he became household comptroller for the British Viceroy of India, Lord Wavell. After retiring from the army, he moved to Canada, intent on becoming a writer. He achieved that goal, writing 100 short stories, 19 novels and an autobiography. His novel The Pillar grew out of his experience in a prisoner of war camp. His most popular novel in Canada was Where the High Winds Blow, a dogsled adventure. Several of his books were set in Scotland, including Geordie, which was turned into a movie. Mailing folds, not near signature. Fine condition.