PAINTING THE LANDSCAPE

Re: Elizabeth Becker’s review of Susan Fromberg Schaeffer’s “Buffalo Afternoon” (Book Review, June 11), Where were Richard Eder, Carolyn See or Charles Champlin when we needed them? What does Becker, an expert on the Vietnam War, know about the art of fiction writing? Has she ever read Schaeffer’s previous works, such as “Anya,” “Love,” or “Madness of a Seduced Woman”? Has she ever written a novel?

Becker seemed overly concerned about the author’s inaccuracies regarding facts of the war and the author’s inability to give the right answers to the problems the war created. As a fiction wrier, this shouldn’t be Schaeffer’s responsibility. She is an artist painting the landscape the way she sees it. She is allowed that freedom. Schaeffer, a fine writer, deserves better.

IRV HONER

STUDIO CITY