Literary Reflections: Michener on Michener, Hemingway, Capote, and Others

All of the essays in this potpourri of literary commentary by Michener ( Tales of the South ) have been published elsewhere, and they are of uneven quality, including pieces on Ernest Hemingway, Truman Capote and Margaret Mitchell. His article on Mitchell, originally written as an introduction to an anniversary edition of Gone With the Wind , is particularly undistinguished. ``Collections, Forgers--and a Writer'' and ``Testimony,'' both published previously in limited editions, deal, in part, with Michener's literary self-education and with his thoughts on effective writing; they are interesting and witty. Also included are ``Who Is Virgil T. Fry?,'' Michener's first published short story, and several of his poems. Photos not seen by PW. (Nov.)