FREE: Public Smiles, Private Tears

The listing, Public Smiles, Private Tears has ended.

Public Smiles, Private Tears : The Last Novel by James Elward and Helen Van Slyke. Condition is "Acceptable". No paper jacket. Hardback book. Shipped with USPS Media Mail. 1982 edition. Pages still look great and the cover shows minimal wear. 282 pages
When Helen Van Slyke died in 1979 she left behind the complete manuscript of her ninth novel, No Love Lost, and a half finished manuscript and an outline of Public Smiles, Private Tears, a book she had every intention of finishing had she lived. After many unsuccessful tries by many writers to complete the book, I was about to give up and leave it in the trunk. And then I remembered James Elward, a writer I'd worked with a few years ago, a writer who has always impressed me with his sensibility and adaptability. I asked Jim to try his hand and he wrote a magnificent second half. Here's the finished book and I think it is practically seamless in quality and spirit of feeling. I'm terribly pleased with it and I think Helen would feel we'd done her proud. by Lawrence P Ashmead.