I recently returned from the Soviet Union, as you may know, but, as you certainly do not know, I also brought with me a manuscript that may prove to be of explosive importance. I should like to show it to you. I have already offered an English translation (as yet non-existent) to an American publisher...

As for the m<anu>s<cript>, it will certainly not be in English translation (even in draft form) by March, so if you wish to use more of it you are welcome to do so.

«Шери-бренди» is an imagined account of the death of Osip Mandelstam...

Thank you very much for Arzhak’s books! I managed to read only one of the stories – “Hands.” What a horror! But how much sincere humanity in the portrayal of the former Cheka officer. There is the image of the entire offended Russian people in him...

I am sending you the manuscript of “Kolyma Tales” by registered mail. I have not read everything yet. In the December issue of Novyi Zhurnal I will be giving several short stories: “The Package,” “Kant,” “Dry Ration,” “Sententious,” and maybe “Cherry-Brandy...

Nadezhda Mandelshtam will certainly not come this year. I am afraid that the Jubilee celebration has had a very oppressive effect on intellectual life generally. Certainly it has discouraged her from even trying to get the necessary exit visa. I am still hoping that she will make the effort later on...

Of course, I am VERY eager to publish this material in “The New Review.” Right now, I am just about to submit the materials for volume 85 (December). <…> I am prepared to meet with you whenever you’d like, however is most convenient for you...