043. Hermann Langbein a Primo Levi, 21 febbraio 1974

Vienna, 21 febbraio 1974[1]

Signor
Dott. Primo Levi
Corso Re Umberto 75
Torino

Caro amico,

ti ringrazio molto per il tuo messaggio del 15 febbraio, che mi ha fatto un piacere immenso; non perché io sia granché ottimista – in proposito ho già avuto fin troppe delusioni – ma perché sono molto colpito dai tuoi sforzi tenaci per far tradurre il libro.

Per quanto riguarda un eventuale accorciamento (raccourcir significa accorciare, no?), l’ho già fatto per la traduzione francese su richiesta dell’editore Fayard: si dovrebbero risparmiare alcune decine di pagine. Si potrebbe ovviamente adottare quella versione. L’unico ostacolo è che, dopo la pubblicazione, sono venuto a conoscenza di alcuni fatti (proprio il libro ha sollecitato le persone a raccontarmeli), che vorrei includere perché sono storicamente rilevanti. Ma è tutto da vedere. In tal caso l’editore avrebbe di certo l’ultima parola.

Non sapevo che Feltrinelli avesse opzionato il libro. Nemmeno l’Europaverlag di Vienna ne sa nulla, tempo fa aveva concesso a un’agenzia francese i diritti di traduzione in italiano, ma quell’opzione è già scaduta. L’editore Mursia ha anche già contattato l’Europaverlag, l’ho saputo[2] quando li ho chiamati per avere notizie.

Allego alcune recensioni del mio libro;[3] forse potranno interessare l’editore e aiutarlo nella sua decisione.

Di nuovo ti ringrazio molto! Per quanto riguarda Berlino e la tua partecipazione alle nostre consultazioni, aspetto ancora, in caso le tue chances di partecipare aumentino. Manca ancora un po’ di tempo.

Un saluto di cuore, come sempre

Tuo

Hermann

Vienna, February 21, 1974[1]

Mr.
Primo Levi
Corso Re Umberto 75
Torino

Caro amico,

Thank you so much for your news of February 15, which I was extremely glad to read; not that I am very optimistic—I have experienced too many disappointments in that regard—but rather because I am impressed by your persistent efforts for its translation.

Regarding a potential abridgement of my book (raccourir means to shorten, right?), I already made similar cuts for the French translation as requested by the publisher, Fayard—just to save a few dozen pages. That version could, of course, be used again. The only reason not to is that after the book was published certain facts were brought to my attention (mostly through people who had read the book and were moved to share them with me), which I would like to incorporate, because they would increase its historical significance. But that is still up in the air. In this case the publisher would clearly have the last word.

I had no idea that Feltrinelli had optioned the book. Not even Europaverlag in Vienna had heard anything of it; they had granted Italian translation rights to a French agency some time ago, although that contract has already expired. Mursia has already contacted Europaverlag directly, as I[2] learned when I telephoned to inquire about the matter.

I am enclosing a few reviews of my book;[3] they might be of interest to the publisher and help them make a decision.

Thanks once again! As for Berlin and your potential contribution to our deliberations, I will await word from you about whether the chances of your going happen to improve. There is still a little time until then.

My warmest regards, as ever,

Yours,

Hermann

Wien, den 21. Feber 1974[1]

Herrn
Dott. Primo Levi
Corso Re Umberto 75
Torino

Caro amico,

Ich danke Dir sehr herzlich für Deine Mitteilung vom 15. 2., die mich ausserordentlich gefreut hat; nicht etwa, dass ich allzu optimistisch bin – dazu habe ich schon zu viele Enttäuschungen auf diesem Gebiet erlebt, sondern weil mich Deine hartnäckigen Bemühungen um eine Übersetzung sehr beeindrucken.

Was eine eventuelle Kürzung meines Buches (raccourir heisst doch kürzen?) betrifft, so habe ich bereit für die französische Übersetzung auf Wunsch des Verlages Fayard eine solche Kürzung vorgenommen – sie dürfte allerdings wenige dutzend Seiten ersparen. Diese Fassung könnte natürlich übernommen werden. Dem entgegen steht höchstens, dass seit Veröffentlichung des Buches einige Fakten mir bekannt geworden sind (meist dadurch, dass das Buch Leute angeregt hat, diese mir mitzuteilen), welche ich gerne aufnehmen würde, weil sie den historischen Wert vergrössern könnten. Aber das ist ja Zukunftsmusik. Hier würde der Verlag wohl das letzte Wort haben.

Dass Feltrinelli eine Option für das Buch hat, wusste ich bisher gar nicht. Auch der Europaverlag in Wien weiss nichts davon, hat allerdings an eine französische Agentur die Übersetzungsrechte ins Italienische vor längerer Zeit abgegeben, diese Option ist jedoch schon abgelaufen. Der Verlag Mursia hat sich auch schon direkt an den Europaverlag gewandt, wie ich[2] hörte, als ich dort in dieser Angelegenheit anrief.

Ich lege ein paar Besprechungen meines Buches bei;[3] vielleicht interessieren sie den Verlag und helfen bei seiner Entscheidung.

Nochmals meinen besten Dank! Und was Berlin und Deine Mitarbeit bei unseren dortigen Beratungen betrifft, so warte ich auf Deine Nachricht, ob sich Deine Möglichkeiten, dorthin zu fahren, bessern. Es ist ja noch einige Zeit bis dahin.

Recht herzlich wie immer grüsst Dich

Dein

Hermann

Vienna, February 21, 1974[1]

Mr.
Primo Levi
Corso Re Umberto 75
Torino

Caro amico,

Thank you so much for your news of February 15, which I was extremely glad to read; not that I am very optimistic—I have experienced too many disappointments in that regard—but rather because I am impressed by your persistent efforts for its translation.

Regarding a potential abridgement of my book (raccourir means to shorten, right?), I already made similar cuts for the French translation as requested by the publisher, Fayard—just to save a few dozen pages. That version could, of course, be used again. The only reason not to is that after the book was published certain facts were brought to my attention (mostly through people who had read the book and were moved to share them with me), which I would like to incorporate, because they would increase its historical significance. But that is still up in the air. In this case the publisher would clearly have the last word.

I had no idea that Feltrinelli had optioned the book. Not even Europaverlag in Vienna had heard anything of it; they had granted Italian translation rights to a French agency some time ago, although that contract has already expired. Mursia has already contacted Europaverlag directly, as I[2] learned when I telephoned to inquire about the matter.

I am enclosing a few reviews of my book;[3] they might be of interest to the publisher and help them make a decision.

Thanks once again! As for Berlin and your potential contribution to our deliberations, I will await word from you about whether the chances of your going happen to improve. There is still a little time until then.

My warmest regards, as ever,

Yours,

Hermann