The Animals: Love Letters Between Christopher Isherwood and Don Bachardy

This collection of letters between famed writer Christopher Isherwood (1902–1986, author of Goodbye to Berlin), and his partner of over three decades, Don Bachardy, a 30-years younger portrait painter, offers considerable insight into the life of this extraordinary couple. An astute introduction by Bucknell (editor of Isherwood’s Diaries) sets up the correspondence, which spans February 1956 to April 1970. Throughout the chatty exchanges, the lovers drop names, discuss projects, shows, and collaborations, dish, commiserate, and even bitch. What emerges is a remarkable portrait of love in exile. Bachardy often wrote to Isherwood to discuss insecurities, doubts, and despair; both men gave each other much-needed support. The book’s title comes from their imaginary identities as “the Animals”: Don being the cat to Chris’s horse, which prompts the lovers to open and close their letters with romantic mushiness and cutesy terms of endearment—for example, “Dearest Silkmuzzle Adored Pinktongue” and “Most Treasured Plug.” A little of this affection, however, goes a long way. The copious—and perhaps too comprehensive notes—detail everything and everyone, including affairs. Most of the correspondence is chaste; the raunchiest entry concerns “an intravenous [dose] of horse essence.” This worthwhile volume may be best suited for Isherwood completists. 52 b&w illus. [em]Agent: Sarah Chalfant, Wylie Agency. (May) [/em]