Letters from the East, 1960-1965 Summary and Analysis

In the five years covered by this chapter (1960-1965)) Katharine White has a series of illnesses: first, a carotid arterial blockage, requiring surgery; another arterial condition for which she declines surgery; then a rare skin disease that hospitalizes her and requires massive doses of cortisone. Afterwards, she is a semi-invalid but arranges to work just six months of the year at The New Yorker—despite her husband's conviction that she would work 12 months but only be paid for six.

E.B. White continues as a contributor to the magazine, and both Whites become early and ardent fans of young fiction writer John Updike. He also exchanges letters with nuclear physicist Edward Teller on the futility of nuclear disarmament; writes to his brother Stanley describing Katherine's latest ailment and a visit by their...