Dear Cyndy,

Thank you for your recommendation of "Periodic Tales" by Hugh Aldersey-
Williams. I've submitted an Internet request to the local library. They
will notify me when it's available. I'll read it and report to you. 
Usually, as in this instance, I get the book you recommend, read it,
and tell you what I think. It's this last phase which causes the problem.
I won't censor my opinion, and I won't bend it to please you. As I
explained in a recent letter, I prefer wrestling with the angel to
sharing a beer.

Please don't say that I "despise" books you recommend. Sometimes I don't
understand books, but I never despise them. Helmut also was disappointed
in my response to the books he recommended to me. I consider my
idiosyncratic reaction to what I read a very serious issue, most likely
at the root of why I feel compelled to write what no one wants to
publish. I'm quite prepared to try to delve deeply into my understanding
or lack thereof, as deeply as is meaningful and congenial to you.
Let's see what "Periodic Tales" reveals about the chemistry of my mind.

In response to your comments about Charlotte and the other women in my
novels, I've filed some notes which are accessible to you at
http://home.earthlink.net/~ej1meyer/diary12/d120211.00

Jochen