Hans Jürgen Fröhlich, a young German author, writes to Levi after having read the chapter “Ka-Be” from Ist das ein Mensch? (If This Is a Man) in Sinn und Form, and then the entire book. He sends Levi a review he has written and which is to be broadcast on the Norddeutscher Rundfunk radio station about one month later. Levi translates the review for his personal use.
Hans Jürgen Fröhlich[1] Hamburg 22
Uhlenhorster Weg 17
Hamburg, den 12.3.62
Herrn
Dr. Primo Levi
Torino
Corso re Umberto 75
Sehr verehrter Herr Doktor Levi!
Zuerst aufmerksam gemacht auf Ihr Buch wurde ich durch ein Kapitel, das in der Zeitschrift SINN UND FORM abgedruckt war.[2]Später erschien Se questo è un uomo in deutscher Sprache bei S. Fischer. Ich kaufte es mir, als es erschien, las es – und möchte Ihnen nun dafür Dank sagen, dass Sie mit diesem Bericht Ratio, Bewusstsein und Licht in dieses schwarze und dunkle Geschehen in den deutschen KZ-Lagern gebracht haben.
Ich wusste meiner Dankbarkeit zunächst keinen besseren Ausdruck zu verleihen, als dass ich mich sofort daran begab, für den Norddeutschen Rundfunk eine Rezension zu schreiben unter dem Titel Buch meiner Wahl.
Beiliegend möchte ich Ihnen mein Manuskript zuschicken. Es ist darin manches gesagt, was mich bewegte, wenn auch nicht alles, vor allem nicht jenes Subjektive, womit ich die Besprechung nicht belasten wollte. Darüber würde ich lieber mit Ihnen sprechen!
Auf einer Reise durch die Schweiz komme ich auch durch Turin. Ich würde Sie bei dieser Gelegenheit (es wird so zwischen dem 12. und 20. April sein) gern aufsuchen, falls Sie zu dieser Zeit in Turin sind und mich empfangen möchten.
Ihre Adresse erhielt ich übrigens durch meinen Freund Wolfgang Beutin,[3] der Ihnen schon vor längerer Zeit geschrieben hat. Ich bin wie er Mitglied des Neusozialistischen Bundes, den Dr. Kurt Hiller gegründet hat.[4]
Es gäbe – so glaube ich – eine Reihe interessanter Dinge, die sich mündlich besser als per Brief erörtern lassen. Darum würde ich mich freuen, sollte ich bald wieder von Ihnen hören
Mit recht herzlichen Grüssen
Hans Jürgen Fröhlich[1] Hamburg 22 Uhlenhorster Weg
Amburgo, 12/3/62
Signor Dott. Primo Levi Torino Corso re Umberto 75
Egregio signor Primo Levi!
Ho scoperto il Suo libroleggendone un capitolo pubblicato sulla rivista «Sinn und Form».[2] Poco dopo Se questo è un uomo è comparso in lingua tedesca per l’editore Fischer. Quando è uscito l’ho subito comprato, l’ho letto – e vorrei ringraziarla di tutta la razionalità, consapevolezza e luce che con questo Suo scritto è riuscito a infondere sugli accadimenti bui e oscuri nei Lager tedeschi.
Non ho saputo dare migliore espressione alla mia gratitudine, se non cimentandomi immediatamente in una recensione per la radio Norddeutscher Rundfunk, intitolata Un libro di mia scelta.
Con questa lettera Le invio il manoscritto. Vi ho espresso alcuni pensieri che mi hanno attraversato la mente durante la lettura, anche se non tutti, in particolare non i più personali, per evitare di appesantire la recensione. Di quegli aspetti preferirei parlare direttamente con Lei!
Ho in programma un viaggio in Svizzera, e passerò anche da Torino. Mi piacerebbe approfittare dell’occasione (dovrebbe essere tra il 12 e il 20 aprile) per venire a trovarLa, se mi vorrà ricevere.
Ho avuto il Suo indirizzo dal mio amico Wolfgang Beutin,[3] che Le aveva scritto già parecchio tempo fa. Come lui sono membro della Lega Neosocialista fondata dal dottor Kurt Hiller.[4]
Ci sarebbe – credo – una serie di argomenti interessanti di cui è più facile discutere a voce che non per lettera. Per questo motivo sarei davvero felice di avere Sue notizie.
Con i miei più cordiali saluti
Hans Jürgen Fröhlich[1] Hamburg 22 Uhlenhorster Weg 17
Hamburg, March 12, 1962
Mr. Dr. Primo Levi Torino Corso re Umberto 75
Most esteemed Mr. Levi!
Your book was first brought to my attention through a chapter printed in the magazine Sinn und Form.[2]Subsequently, If This is a Man was published in German by S. Fischer. I bought myself a copy as soon as it was released, read it—and would now like to thank you for writing a report that brought rationality, awareness, and shed light into these dark, pitch-black events in the German concentration camps.
I could think of no better way to express my gratitude than to immediately write a review for Norddeutscher Rundfunk, titled “The book of my choice.”
I would like to send you my radio script, which you shall find enclosed. It touches upon some of the things that moved me during and after reading, although by no means all—the more subjective things in particular, as I didn’t want to weigh the review down too much. I’d rather speak to you about those things!
I shall be traveling to Switzerland soon, and passing through Turin. I would gladly pay you a visit (between April 12 and 20 or thereabouts), if you are in Turin at that time and able to meet.
I should mention that I got your address from my friend Wolfgang Beutin,[3]in Hamburg, who told me he wrote you some time ago. Like him, I’m a member of the Neosocialist League founded by Kurt Hiller.[4]
I believe this could turn into a most interesting conversation, especially since some things are better discussed in person than in writing. I would therefore be thrilled to hear from you soon.
With my warmest regards,
Hans Jürgen Fröhlich[1] Hamburg 22
Uhlenhorster Weg 17
Hamburg, den 12.3.62
Herrn
Dr. Primo Levi
Torino
Corso re Umberto 75
Sehr verehrter Herr Doktor Levi!
Zuerst aufmerksam gemacht auf Ihr Buch wurde ich durch ein Kapitel, das in der Zeitschrift SINN UND FORM abgedruckt war.[2]Später erschien Se questo è un uomo in deutscher Sprache bei S. Fischer. Ich kaufte es mir, als es erschien, las es – und möchte Ihnen nun dafür Dank sagen, dass Sie mit diesem Bericht Ratio, Bewusstsein und Licht in dieses schwarze und dunkle Geschehen in den deutschen KZ-Lagern gebracht haben.
Ich wusste meiner Dankbarkeit zunächst keinen besseren Ausdruck zu verleihen, als dass ich mich sofort daran begab, für den Norddeutschen Rundfunk eine Rezension zu schreiben unter dem Titel Buch meiner Wahl.
Beiliegend möchte ich Ihnen mein Manuskript zuschicken. Es ist darin manches gesagt, was mich bewegte, wenn auch nicht alles, vor allem nicht jenes Subjektive, womit ich die Besprechung nicht belasten wollte. Darüber würde ich lieber mit Ihnen sprechen!
Auf einer Reise durch die Schweiz komme ich auch durch Turin. Ich würde Sie bei dieser Gelegenheit (es wird so zwischen dem 12. und 20. April sein) gern aufsuchen, falls Sie zu dieser Zeit in Turin sind und mich empfangen möchten.
Ihre Adresse erhielt ich übrigens durch meinen Freund Wolfgang Beutin,[3] der Ihnen schon vor längerer Zeit geschrieben hat. Ich bin wie er Mitglied des Neusozialistischen Bundes, den Dr. Kurt Hiller gegründet hat.[4]
Es gäbe – so glaube ich – eine Reihe interessanter Dinge, die sich mündlich besser als per Brief erörtern lassen. Darum würde ich mich freuen, sollte ich bald wieder von Ihnen hören
Mit recht herzlichen Grüssen
Hans Jürgen Fröhlich[1] Hamburg 22 Uhlenhorster Weg
Amburgo, 12/3/62
Signor Dott. Primo Levi Torino Corso re Umberto 75
Egregio signor Primo Levi!
Ho scoperto il Suo libroleggendone un capitolo pubblicato sulla rivista «Sinn und Form».[2] Poco dopo Se questo è un uomo è comparso in lingua tedesca per l’editore Fischer. Quando è uscito l’ho subito comprato, l’ho letto – e vorrei ringraziarla di tutta la razionalità, consapevolezza e luce che con questo Suo scritto è riuscito a infondere sugli accadimenti bui e oscuri nei Lager tedeschi.
Non ho saputo dare migliore espressione alla mia gratitudine, se non cimentandomi immediatamente in una recensione per la radio Norddeutscher Rundfunk, intitolata Un libro di mia scelta.
Con questa lettera Le invio il manoscritto. Vi ho espresso alcuni pensieri che mi hanno attraversato la mente durante la lettura, anche se non tutti, in particolare non i più personali, per evitare di appesantire la recensione. Di quegli aspetti preferirei parlare direttamente con Lei!
Ho in programma un viaggio in Svizzera, e passerò anche da Torino. Mi piacerebbe approfittare dell’occasione (dovrebbe essere tra il 12 e il 20 aprile) per venire a trovarLa, se mi vorrà ricevere.
Ho avuto il Suo indirizzo dal mio amico Wolfgang Beutin,[3] che Le aveva scritto già parecchio tempo fa. Come lui sono membro della Lega Neosocialista fondata dal dottor Kurt Hiller.[4]
Ci sarebbe – credo – una serie di argomenti interessanti di cui è più facile discutere a voce che non per lettera. Per questo motivo sarei davvero felice di avere Sue notizie.
Con i miei più cordiali saluti
Hans Jürgen Fröhlich[1] Hamburg 22 Uhlenhorster Weg 17
Hamburg, March 12, 1962
Mr. Dr. Primo Levi Torino Corso re Umberto 75
Most esteemed Mr. Levi!
Your book was first brought to my attention through a chapter printed in the magazine Sinn und Form.[2]Subsequently, If This is a Man was published in German by S. Fischer. I bought myself a copy as soon as it was released, read it—and would now like to thank you for writing a report that brought rationality, awareness, and shed light into these dark, pitch-black events in the German concentration camps.
I could think of no better way to express my gratitude than to immediately write a review for Norddeutscher Rundfunk, titled “The book of my choice.”
I would like to send you my radio script, which you shall find enclosed. It touches upon some of the things that moved me during and after reading, although by no means all—the more subjective things in particular, as I didn’t want to weigh the review down too much. I’d rather speak to you about those things!
I shall be traveling to Switzerland soon, and passing through Turin. I would gladly pay you a visit (between April 12 and 20 or thereabouts), if you are in Turin at that time and able to meet.
I should mention that I got your address from my friend Wolfgang Beutin,[3]in Hamburg, who told me he wrote you some time ago. Like him, I’m a member of the Neosocialist League founded by Kurt Hiller.[4]
I believe this could turn into a most interesting conversation, especially since some things are better discussed in person than in writing. I would therefore be thrilled to hear from you soon.
With my warmest regards,
Info
Notes
Tag
Sender: Hans Jürgen Fröhlich
Addressee: Primo Levi
Date of Drafting: 1962-03-12
Place of Writing: Hamburg
Description:carbon copy on onionskin paper of typewritten letter
Archive: Deutsches Literaturarchiv, Marbach
Series: Levi, Primo Frӧhlich, Hans J. 1962-1985; o.D.
Folio: 1, front only
DOI:
1This letter is not in Primo Levi’s private archive. It may never have been sent and was probably replaced by Letter 066, which has the same date and similar contents. This was not an unusual occurrence for Fröhlich: see also Letters 082 and 083
2This refers to the chapter “Ka-Be,” accompanied by the poem in the book’s epigraph, published in the January-February issue of Sinn und Form. Cf. Primo Levi, “Ist das ein Mensch?” in Sinn und Form. Beiträge zur Literatur, 13 (1), 1961, pp. 124-38. This preview excerpt in the journal, the first and only publication of Ist das ein Mensch? in East Germany, came about through the intermediation of Heinz Riedt. Cf. Primo Levi, Il carteggio con Heinz Riedt, edited by M. Mengoni, Einaudi, Turin 2024, pp. 79 and ff.
3Wolfgang Beutin was the first German reader of Ist das ein Mensch? to write to Levi. His letter, dated November 26, 1961, arrived at the same time as the first copies of the book sent by Fischer, the publishers. The entire correspondence can be found here. Both Fröhlich and Beutin worked for the same radio station (Norddeutscher Rundfunk, NDR).
4Kurt Hiller (1885-1972), an anti-Nazi author and gay rights activist, was captured and imprisoned by the Gestapo in 1933. He later chose the path of exile, first in Czechoslovakia and later in England, where he remained until 1955. An exponent of liberal socialism, he was vice-president of the Wissenschaftlich-humanitäres Komitee (Scientific-Humanitarian Committee) and was active in a neo-socialist movement headquartered in Hamburg (Neusozialistischer Bund), to which Fröhlich and Beutin also belonged.
