A collection as charismatic and insightful as the poet himself, 'A Whole World' draws together the vibrant correspondence of James Merrill, one of the last century's foremost literary figures. Renowned for his poetic prowess, Merrill's letters span the globe and the gamut of human emotion, from the frivolity of social engagements to the depths of artistic dilemma. Whether musing on his travels, artistic inspiration, or the mundane trials of housekeeping, these letters are extensions of his poetic voice - witty, profound, and infinitely human. In each line, Merrill bares his soul, confronting ambivalence with aplomb and transforming life's vicissitudes into the raw material of art. Bursting with anecdotes, literary discourse, and the pulse of an unquiet mind forever seeking, Merrill's letters offer a peerless window into the life of a literary titan.