FLAUBERT (Gustave). Autograph letter signed... - Lot 133 - Osenat

Lot 133
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Result : 4 550EUR
FLAUBERT (Gustave). Autograph letter signed... - Lot 133 - Osenat
FLAUBERT (Gustave). Autograph letter signed [to Ivan Tourguéniev]. Paris, "February 14" [1870]. 2 pp. 3/4 in-8, two marginal cracks restored. "My dear friend, you are very good to indicate me a newspaper where my unfortunate book is praised! [Gustave Flaubert had published L'Éducation sentimentale in November 1869, and Le Messager russe had reported on it]. For I am not smothered in roses. You also told me about a Berlin review? I... would like to know the title, all for Lévy [his publisher Michel Lévy], of course. I find (I don't hide it from you) that they have been unfair to me. Nothing is more foolish than to pretend to be misunderstood. That is what I think, however. "Habent sua fata libelli" as Horace says [Latin quote actually from Terentianus Maurus, "Books have their destiny"] - & Prud'homme. THE STUDIES ON THE GOOD St. ANTOIN (of which you are concerned) have been suspended for a fortnight [Gustave Flaubert had written a first version of his story The Temptation of St. Anthony in 1848-1849, but made many changes in it and did not publish it until 1874] spent exclusively in organizing a performance at the Odeon, for THE MONUMENT OF BOUILHET. I am the president of the subscription committee, & I had, in all respects, to take care of the thing in order to have as much money as possible. For two weeks, & in spite of a strong flu, I made races in Paris, seven hours of carriage, per day! And what a nervous breakdown! Everything went well, thank God. & it's over! [Gustave Flaubert organized a theatrical performance at the Odeon on February 12, 1870, to raise funds for the erection of a monument to the memory of his close friend Louis Bouilhet]. Someone came from the theater of the Gaîté, asking me for my fairy tale, THE CASTLE OF THE HEARTS. I will read it as soon as my larynx is clear [Gustave Flaubert wrote this play, which could be called avant-garde, partly in collaboration with his friends Louis Bouilhet and Count Charles d'Osmoy. The text, completed in October 1863, was systematically refused by the Parisian stages, even after adjustments made in 1870. It was only at the end of his life that Gustave Flaubert resigned himself to publication]. And you, dear & great friend, what are you doing? What do you dream? What do you write? When you come back to Paris, make sure you stay there longer! THE MOMENTS I HAVE SPENT WITH YOU LATELY HAVE BEEN THE ONLY GOOD HOURS I HAVE HAD FOR EIGHT MONTHS! YOU CAN'T IMAGINE MY INTELLECTUAL LONELINESS! That is why I jump on you with greed, as soon as your person presents itself. My noble country is becoming more and more stupid - the general stupidity influences the individuals. Everyone is gradually falling into line with everyone else. You seem to me a happy man, you - & I would be envious of you if I did not love you strongly. I kiss you, Your Gve Flaubert... " Provenance: collection Viardot (dry stamp).
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