The English Écrevisse Summary and Analysis

Mayle reflects on the solitary career of a writer. A writer faces long, unproductive periods in which he begins to doubt that his writing will ever be read by anyone. An occasional well-written sentence is rewarding, but since the writer is the only judge of its worth, any assessment may be premature. What is rewarding, however, is the idea that once he is published, a writer can bring enjoyment to people he has never met.

Mayle enjoys receiving fan mail from his readers. After publication of his first book, A Year in Provence, he began receiving letters from all parts of the world. They were of all description—from those on fine writing paper to those with addresses that were barely perceptible. Mayle's favorite letter was the one addressed to the "English Writer in Provence." Mayle...