A very cleverly written article in Bookforum about Dorothy Parker’s bequest to the NAACP and her friendship with Lillian Hellman (via A&L Daily). It includes a fair sampling of Parker’s wit:
One of her neighbors, the writer Peter Feibleman, overheard her exchange words with another neighbor, a silly woman who began gushing over Campbell’s death and asking what she could get for her. “Get me a new husband,” Parker croaked. That was a “disgusting remark,” the woman replied. “Sorry,” said Dottie. “Then run down to the corner and get me a ham and cheese on rye and tell them to hold the mayo.”