1982-1983. A small archive of praise from other writers for Joyce Johnson and Minor Characters, her memoir of her time with Jack Kerouac and the men and women of the Beat Generation. Compiled by Nan Talese at Houghton Mifflin. Typed and autograph letters signed by E.L. Doctorow, Hilma Wolitzer, Susan Brownmiller, Jill Robinson, Jerome Charyn, and Barbara Probst Solomon. A retained copy of Talese's letter of thanks to each writer is stapled to each letter. Together with an author photo of Johnson; a proof of the dust jacket; and a 1" thick file of reviews of the published book, with a retained letter transmitting copies to Johnson. From Solomon's letter: "I had always hoped we would have a woman's insight on that period, until now almost exclusively explained to us by men." All of the writers were of Joyce Johnson's generation, and all were avid in their praise of her work in this memoir; since the moment of its publication, her book has been seen as a fresh perspective on the Beats, and is itself anything but "minor." The group of reviews includes some surprising ones -- Philip Gold of the Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis reviewing it for Washington Monthly, far out of his field but surprisingly affected by it -- and also includes an interview with the author. The lot is near fine. [#036705] $3,500