048. Primo Levi a Hermann Langbein, 28 settembre 1974

Torino, 28/9/1974

Caro Hermann,

sì, mi sono arrivate sia la lettera del 24 maggio che quella del 17 settembre. Scusami tanto per non averti risposto prima: siamo in pensiero per mia madre (80 anni), che doveva essere operata a giugno; ma poi l’operazione è stata rimandata, e ora si parla di fine ottobre. È per questo motivo, a parte beninteso la mia fatica quotidiana in fabbrica, che non potrò partecipare alla manifestazione per il 30° anniversario della Liberazione. Mi spiace molto: sarei stato felice di rivederti e di incontrare Rousset[1] e Wiesel,[2] che conosco soltanto dai loro libri. Porgi loro le mie scuse.

Da 4 giorni tento invano di contattare il signor Tozzi al telefono. Ieri ho parlato con la sua segretaria e ho ottenuto queste informazioni: il libro è sempre di loro interesse e l’opzione ancora valida; i «tagli» di 80 pagine che hai fatto tu non sono sufficienti e mi dicono di avere scritto al tuo editore in Austria (è vero?); hanno bisogno di eliminare ancora 150 pagine circa, perché i volumi di quella collana sono grossomodo di 400 pagine. A questa richiesta, l’editore austriaco non avrebbe risposto. Hanno persino proposto a me di occuparmi della riduzione; cosa che, naturalmente, ho rifiutato. Mi spiace molto doverti scrivere notizie così sgradevoli e insulse: capisco abbastanza bene che una «demolizione» come quella che ti chiedono cambierebbe completamente il carattere dell’opera. Non saprei più cosa consigliarti. Se vuoi, continuerò molto volentieri a tenere il contatto con Mursia: nel caso, aspetto tue istruzioni.

Spero che tu e la tua famiglia stiate tutti bene, ti stringo con affetto la mano

Sempre tuo

Primo

Turin, 9/28/1974

Dear Hermann,

Yes, I did receive your letter of May 24^th, as well as your latest letter of September 17^th. I apologize for not having replied earlier: we have some concerns about my mother (age 80), who was supposed to have surgery in June; then the operation was postponed, and now late October is being mentioned. For this same reason, which of course is in addition to my daily effort at the factory, I will not be able to take part in the event for the 30^th anniversary of the Liberation. I regret it very much: I would have been happy to see you again, and to meet Rousset[1] and Wiesel,[2] whom I know only from their books. Please apologize to them for me.

For 4 days I have been trying in vain to reach Mr. Tozzi on the telephone. I spoke to his secretary yesterday, and I obtained the following information: they are still interested in the book, and the option is still valid; the “cuts” of 80 pages that you made are not enough, and they tell me that they wrote this to your publisher in Austria (is this true?); they have to eliminate another 150 pages approximately, because their volumes in this series are about 400 pages. Apparently the Austrian publisher has not responded to this proposal. They even suggested that I do the cutting myself; which, obviously, I refused. I am very sorry to have to write to you with this unpleasant and silly news: I am quite aware that a “demolition” like the one they are asking for would completely change the nature of the book. I really do not know what to advise you to do. If you like, I will gladly continue to maintain contact with Mursia: in this case, I await your instructions.

I hope everyone at home is well, and along with your family I warmly shake your hand

Yours always

Primo

Torino, 28/9/1974

Cher Hermann,

oui, j’ai bien reçu ta lettre du 24 Mai, ainsi que ta dernière du 17 Septembre. Je m’excuse bien de n’avoir repondu avant: nous avons quelques soucis à l’égard de ma mère (80 ans), qui devait être opérée à Juin; puis l’opération a été renvoyée, et l’on parle maintenant de la fin octobre. C’est pour cette même raison, qui s’ajoute bien entendu à ma «tagliche Mühe» à l’usine, que je ne pourrai pas prendre part à la manifestation du 30me anniversaire de la Libération. Je le regrette bien: j’aurais été heureux de te revoir, et de rencontrer Rousset[1] et Wiesel,[2] que je connais seulement d’après leur livres. Tu voudras bien m’excuser chez-eux.

Depuis 4 jours j’essaye en vain de trouver M. Tozzi au téléfone. J’ai parlé hiers avec sa sécrétaire, et j’ai obtenu les informations suivantes: le livre est toujours de leur intérêt, et l’option toujours valable; les «coupures» de 80 pages que tu as faites ne suffisent pas, et ils me disent avoir écrit ça à ton éditeur en Autriche (est-ce vrai?); il leur faut éliminer encore 150 pages environ, puisque leur volumes de cette série sont de 400 pages à peu près. À cette proposition, l’éditeur autrichien n’aurait pas repondu. Ils m’ont même proposé de faire moi même le travail de raccourcissement; ce que, évidemment, j’ai refusé. Je regrette bien de devoir t’écrire ces nouvelles désagréables et niaises: je me rends compte assez bien qu’une «démolition» comme celle qu’on demande changerait complètement le caractère de l’ouvrage. Je ne saurais vraiment plus quoi te conseiller. Si tu le veux, je continuerai bien volontiers à maintenir le contact avec Mursia: en ce cas, j’attends tes instructions.

J’espère que tout le monde se porte bien chez-toi, et avec ta famille je te serre bien cordialement la main

Toujours à toi

Primo

Turin, 9/28/1974

Dear Hermann,

Yes, I did receive your letter of May 24^th, as well as your latest letter of September 17^th. I apologize for not having replied earlier: we have some concerns about my mother (age 80), who was supposed to have surgery in June; then the operation was postponed, and now late October is being mentioned. For this same reason, which of course is in addition to my daily effort at the factory, I will not be able to take part in the event for the 30^th anniversary of the Liberation. I regret it very much: I would have been happy to see you again, and to meet Rousset[1] and Wiesel,[2] whom I know only from their books. Please apologize to them for me.

For 4 days I have been trying in vain to reach Mr. Tozzi on the telephone. I spoke to his secretary yesterday, and I obtained the following information: they are still interested in the book, and the option is still valid; the “cuts” of 80 pages that you made are not enough, and they tell me that they wrote this to your publisher in Austria (is this true?); they have to eliminate another 150 pages approximately, because their volumes in this series are about 400 pages. Apparently the Austrian publisher has not responded to this proposal. They even suggested that I do the cutting myself; which, obviously, I refused. I am very sorry to have to write to you with this unpleasant and silly news: I am quite aware that a “demolition” like the one they are asking for would completely change the nature of the book. I really do not know what to advise you to do. If you like, I will gladly continue to maintain contact with Mursia: in this case, I await your instructions.

I hope everyone at home is well, and along with your family I warmly shake your hand

Yours always

Primo