American novelist, short story writer, and critic best known for his novels of manners set in the world of contemporary upper-class New York City. -
Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of LiteratureWhen Auchincloss died,
The New York Times obituary shared the following anecdote:
Auchincloss, whose work was sometimes compared to that of John O'Hara, wrote a critique of O'Hara in a 1960 issue of
The Nation. O'Hara responded to Auchincloss in writing: "You obviously have not read all my novels, and I have not read one of yours. I don't know anything about your importance as a lawyer, but in my league you are a still a batboy, and 43 is pretty old for a batboy." The obit dryly continues: "Over the years Mr. Auchincloss would send his reviews to O'Hara with a cover letter signed, 'Batboy.' O'Hara was not amused."
more