"A newspaper reporter assigned to write the agony column in the depths of the Great Depression seeks respite from the poor souls who send in their sad letters, only to be further tormented by his viciously cynical editor, Shrike. This edition of Miss Lonelyhearts features the original New Directions cover by Alvin Lustig, as well as a new introduction by Harold Bloom, who calls the novel 'my favorite work of modern American fiction. '"--Cover, page [4]