The Selected Letters of Elia Kazan

He was a giant of both stage and screen, a game changer in the world of drama. The man was Elia Kazan, the famous director for both Broadway and movies. His credits include East of Eden, Streetcar Named Desire, and On the Waterfront. And now we get to see how he lived, his thoughts, ideas, and struggles, through this collection of letters. This volume brings us inside the world of Elia Kazan; the ups and downs, the struggles with cast members, producers, designers, and managers. From the early days of his marriage, which was often rocky, to his success on stage and screen, he was a man with a vision, and he did not like to be denied.

The art of letter writing is slowly dying, so it is nice to be able to read a collection this rich and entertaining. Elia does not hold back when he is angry or happy. We can feel the emotion dripping out of every sentence, emotion you can’t feel with a text message or email. These letters help bring us to a bygone world. and further enrich us as a society.