A Guide to Paul Bowles, Letters to Brion Gysin, 1975-1978 #10501-h

A Guide to Paul Bowles, Letters to Brion Gysin, 1975-1978

A Collection in
The Clifton Waller Barrett Library
The Special Collections Department
Accession Number 10501-h

Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library

Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
USA
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Funding: Web version of the finding aid funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Processed by: Special Collections Department

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

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Use Restrictions

See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.

Preferred Citation

Paul Bowles, Letters to Brion Gysin, 1975-1978, Accession # 10501-h, Special Collections Dept., University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, Va.

Acquisition Information

This collection was purchased from Paul C. Richard of Templemore, Massachusetts on July 14, 1988.

Scope and Content Information

In this collection of letters to Brion Gysin, the American author and composer Paul Bowles discusses mutual acquaintances, Moroccan music, the Spanish Sahara war, the high cost of living in Tangier, and disruptions caused by Islamic holidays. He occasionally mentions his work or Gysin's.

Contents List

Writes of spending two weeks with John Hopkins at Marrakech, the arrival of Gordon Sager from Tokyo, the rising costs of living in Tangier, Morocco, the music of Jilala, and the disagreement between Spain and Morocco over the Spanish Sahara. May 11, 1975

TLS, 1 p., w/ envelope

Discusses the controversy surrounding the review of the [Master Musicians of] Joujouka record in Rolling Stone and Hamri's complaints about lack of payment for his participation in its production. July 28, 1975

TLS, 1 p., w/ envelope

Mentions receiving a book from Gysin, his own translations of the work of Isabelle Eberhardt published by City Lights, and the visits of a few friends. September 27, 1975

TLS, 1 p., w/ envelope

Mentions the Islamic holiday, Aachor, wartime conditions and their interference with the funtioning of the markets in Morocco, and news about friends. January 9, 1976

TLS, 1 p., w/ envelope

Describes the circumstances behind the gift of stale kif delivered to Gysin in Paris by Lily Kalman and mentions rising prices in Tangier. March 25, 1976

TLS, 1 p., w/ envelope

Thanks Gysin for Oeuvre Croisee; mentions Dan Bente and his regard for Let the Mice In, a visit by Christopher Isherwood, Alec Waugh's 78th birthday, Mrabet and his "constant scandals," and a cargo ship which wrecked in November of 1975 at Cape Spartel. July 5, 1976

TLS, 1 p., w/ envelope

Speaks of an exhibit by Christopher Wanklyn at the Casino, Dan Bente's desire to go to Paris to write a biography about Gysin and possible stumbling blocks to his ambition, and Sidi Kacem with its sheep sacrifices. August 7, 1976

TLS, 1 p., w/ envelope

Mentions hearing Gysin's voice on a Mauritanian tape, the intention of Targuisti to visit Gysin in Paris, Dan Bente's involvement in the Tangier Players, a Ghanaian drummer who has played with the Stones and Mongo Santamaria, and a sacrifice of a chicken by Mrabet. September 30, 1976

TLS, 1 p., w/ envelope

Asks several questions about Gilles Dehon; mentions letters from Ira Cohen and Charles Henri Ford, the latter expressing "Neo-Istiamer thought;" asks "what is the matter with Susan Sontag? Mind or body?"; and furnishes a description of the archaeological site, Msoura. November 18, 1976

TLS, 1 p., w/ envelope

Writes that the expected cassette has still not arrived, that [William] Burroughs apparently likes Boulder, Colorado even in winter, and that Mrabet has been ill in a Spanish hospital. March 17, 1978

TLS, 1 p., w/ envelope

Describes his tribulations resulting from a dog bite; expresses concern over the lack of progress in recovery of Mrabet; and discusses finances. April 14, 1978

TLS, 1 p., w/ envelope

Mentions the mystery of Gilles Dehon, a visit by Tennessee [Williams], and an incident during Ramadan when he was pelted with pebbles for "clandestinely nibbling a galleta on the beach at Merkala." November 7, 1978

TLS, 1 p., w/ envelope