028. Hermann Langbein a Primo Levi, 22 aprile 1972

Vienna, 22 aprile 1972

Signor
Dott. Primo Levi
Torino
Corso Re Umberto 75

Caro amigo,

mi ha fatto davvero tanto piacere avere di nuovo tue notizie; e ancora di più sapere che hai trovato di così interessante il mio nuovo libro, che è una sorta di studio sociologico su Auschwitz.

Ora il libro è finalmente pronto. Gli ultimi mesi non sono stati per nulla semplici, la borsa di studio che mi ha permesso di iniziare questo lavoro così oneroso è finita da tempo,[1] quando l’opera era ancora lontana dalla conclusione; e non avrei mai potuto condurla a termine se non nel modo più scrupoloso possibile, altrimenti avrei fatto meglio a non cominciarla nemmeno. Ma ora sto già rivedendo le bozze, e posso fare solo minimi ritocchi. Il volume sarà disponibile alla Fiera del Libro di Francoforte a settembre.

Sì, sono d’accordo con te, e non abbiamo bisogno di spendere parole sul fatto che un libro del genere, oggi, sia necessario (posto che sia anche ben scritto, cosa che non riesco a giudicare, negli anni ormai ho sviluppato una specie di “miopia professionale”). E non c’è nemmeno bisogno che ti dica quanto sarei felice se fosse possibile pubblicarlo in italiano. Certo, le mie speranze in fatto di traduzioni sono già state deluse talmente tante volte («troppo voluminoso» – «non fa abbastanza scalpore» – «troppo asciutto» mi sono sentito ripetere, senza mezzi termini o con giri di parole) che se la tua risposta fosse negativa non ci rimarrei male. Se invece pensi di riuscire a trovare un editore interessato, digli pure di richiedermi le bozze di stampa, così potrà farsi un’idea.

Il processo contro Schindler non ha ancora raggiunto la fase in cui viene formulata l’accusa. Continuo a cercare testimoni, perché di rado chi stava più in alto nella gerarchia ha ucciso di mano propria (e solo in questi casi è facile ottenere un’incriminazione e una condanna), e di solito i prigionieri non conoscevano i nomi dei vice, ma solo quelli dei comandanti.[2]

Sia la dott.ssa Elena Napolitano sia Giuliana Tedeschi non riescono a ricordare Schindler nello specifico e quindi non possono testimoniare. Il 13 marzo ho scritto alla dott.ssa Luciana Momigliano, di cui la sig.ra Tedeschi mi ha inviato l’indirizzo, ma sono ancora in attesa di ricevere una sua risposta. Potresti ricordarglielo? Con la signora Bianca Morpurgo finora è stato impossibile entrare in contatto, poiché ho solo Genova come indirizzo.

Non ti capita mai di venire in Austria o in Germania (dove devo andare ogni tanto)? Sarei molto felice di parlare con te.

Con i miei migliori saluti, sempre

Tuo

Ti allego il nuovo indice del mio libro,[3] in modo che tu possa avere tra le mani qualcosa, se davvero riuscirai a trovare un editore interessato. Ti ho già scritto che nel libro sei citato più della maggior parte degli altri, vero?

Vienna, April 22, 1972

Mr.
Primo Levi
Torino
Corso Re Umberto 75

Caro amigo,

I was extremely happy to hear from you again; even more so since you have taken such an interest in my new book—a kind of sociological study of Auschwitz.

The book is finally finished now. It has not been at all easy as of late; the funding[1] that enabled me to begin this enormous undertaking ran out long ago, when the work was still far from done, but I simply had to complete the work as thoroughly as possible; otherwise I should not have even started it. But now I am already reading the proofs and can only make minor changes. It will be available at the Frankfurt Book Fair in September.

Yes, I agree with you, and we must not even discuss the need for such a book at the moment (assuming it is well written, which I cannot judge—I have become so deeply immersed in it over the years that I am effectively “blind” on that front). And it goes without saying that I would be thrilled about an Italian translation, if that became a possibility. But my hopes regarding translation have so often been disappointed (“too substantial,” “not sensational enough,” “too dry”—I’ve heard it more than once, both directly and in softer terms) that I would not be disappointed again if your answer were no. If, however, you think you could interest a publisher in it, have him contact me to request proofs so he can get an idea.

The case against Schindler has not even progressed to the point where an indictment has been finalized. I continue to look for witnesses, because the higher-ups rarely murdered with their own hands (and those are the only cases in which indictment and conviction are easy), and the adjutants usually stood behind the commanders, and so remained anonymous to the prisoners.[2]

Neither Dr. Elena Napolitano nor Mrs. Giuliana Tedeschi specifically remember Schindler, therefore they cannot serve as witnesses. I wrote to Dr. Luciana Momigliano, whose address Mme. Tedeschi sent me, on March 13, but am still waiting for a reply. Could you please remind her? I have not yet managed to get in touch with Mrs. Bianca Morpurgo because the only address I have is Genoa.

Do you ever come to Austria or Germany (where I need to go every now and then)? I would be so glad to speak with you.

With best regards, I remain, as always,

Yours,

I am enclosing the new table of contents from my book,[3] so that you may have something on hand in case you do manage to pique someone’s interest in it. You are cited more than most of the others—have I already told you that?

Wien, den 22. April 1972

Herrn
Dr. Primo Levi
Torino
Corso Re Umberto 75

Caro amigo,

Ich habe mich ausserordentlich gefreut, wieder vor Dir zu hören; und noch mehr, dass Du solches Interesse an meinem neuen Buch – einer Art soziologischen Studie über Auschwitz – findest.

Das Buch ist jetzt endlich fertig; die letzten Zeit war gar nicht leicht, das Stipendium längst abgelaufen,[1] das mir ermöglicht hatte, diese anspruchsvolle Arbeit zu beginnen, aber das Werk noch weit davon entfernt, abgeschlossen zu sein; und ich konnte es nicht über mich bringen, die Arbeit nicht so gründlich als es mir möglich ist, fertigzustellen; denn dann hätte ich sie besser nicht anfangen sollen. Aber nun lese ich schon die Druckfahnen und kann nur mehr kleine Retouchen anbringen. Auf der Frankfurter Buchmesse wird es im September schon aufliegen.

Ja, ich bin Deiner Ansicht und wir brauchen keine Worte darüber zu wechseln, dass ein solches Buch gegenwärtig notwendig ist (vorausgesetzt, dass es auch gut geschrieben ist, was ich nicht beurteilen kann, dazu bin ich zu „betriebsblind“ geworden in den Jahren). Und wie froh ich wäre, wenn eine italienische Übersetzung möglich wäre, brauche ich auch nicht lang zu schreiben. Aber meine Hoffnungen wegen Übersetzungen sind schon so oft enttäuscht worden („zu umfangreich“ – „zu wenig sensationell“ – „zu trocken“ habe ich mehr als einmal direkt oder umschrieben gehört), dass ich nicht nochmals enttäuscht wäre, wenn Deine Antwort nein lauten würde. Falls Du aber glaubst, dass Du einen Verlag dafür interessieren könntest, sollte dieser die Druckfahnen hier anfordern, damit er sich ein Bild machen kann.

Das Verfahren gegen Schindler ist noch nicht einmal so weit gediehen, dass die Anklage fertiggestellt wurde. Ich suche weiter nach Zeugen, denn die hohen Herren haben kaum mit eigenen Händen gemordet (und nur in diesen Fällen ist eine Anklage und Verurteilung leicht zu erlangen), dazu kommt, dass Adjutanten meist anonym für die Häftlinge hinter den Kommandanten gestanden sind.[2]

Sowohl Frau Dr. Elena Napolitano als auch Giuliana Tedeschi können sich nicht an Schindler konkret erinnern, fallen daher als Zeuginnen aus. An Frau Dr. Luciana Momigliano, deren Anschrift Mme. Tedeschi schickte, habe ich am 13.3. geschrieben, warte aber bis heute auf ihre Antwort. Kannst Du sie daran erinnern? Mich mit Frau Bianca Morpurgo in Verbindung zu setzen war bisher unmöglich, da ich nur Genova als Adresse habe.

Kommst Du nicht einmal nach Österreich oder Deutschland (wohin ich hie und da zu fahren habe)? Ich würde mich auf ein Gespräch mit Dir recht freuen.

Mit besten Grüssen bleibe ich wie immer

Dein

Ich lege das neue Inhaltsverzeichnis meines Buches bei,[3] damit Du etwas in Händen hast, falls Du wirklich jemanden dafür interessieren könntest. Dass Du darin häufiger als die allermeisten zitiert wirst, habe ich Dir wohl schon geschrieben?

Vienna, April 22, 1972

Mr.
Primo Levi
Torino
Corso Re Umberto 75

Caro amigo,

I was extremely happy to hear from you again; even more so since you have taken such an interest in my new book—a kind of sociological study of Auschwitz.

The book is finally finished now. It has not been at all easy as of late; the funding[1] that enabled me to begin this enormous undertaking ran out long ago, when the work was still far from done, but I simply had to complete the work as thoroughly as possible; otherwise I should not have even started it. But now I am already reading the proofs and can only make minor changes. It will be available at the Frankfurt Book Fair in September.

Yes, I agree with you, and we must not even discuss the need for such a book at the moment (assuming it is well written, which I cannot judge—I have become so deeply immersed in it over the years that I am effectively “blind” on that front). And it goes without saying that I would be thrilled about an Italian translation, if that became a possibility. But my hopes regarding translation have so often been disappointed (“too substantial,” “not sensational enough,” “too dry”—I’ve heard it more than once, both directly and in softer terms) that I would not be disappointed again if your answer were no. If, however, you think you could interest a publisher in it, have him contact me to request proofs so he can get an idea.

The case against Schindler has not even progressed to the point where an indictment has been finalized. I continue to look for witnesses, because the higher-ups rarely murdered with their own hands (and those are the only cases in which indictment and conviction are easy), and the adjutants usually stood behind the commanders, and so remained anonymous to the prisoners.[2]

Neither Dr. Elena Napolitano nor Mrs. Giuliana Tedeschi specifically remember Schindler, therefore they cannot serve as witnesses. I wrote to Dr. Luciana Momigliano, whose address Mme. Tedeschi sent me, on March 13, but am still waiting for a reply. Could you please remind her? I have not yet managed to get in touch with Mrs. Bianca Morpurgo because the only address I have is Genoa.

Do you ever come to Austria or Germany (where I need to go every now and then)? I would be so glad to speak with you.

With best regards, I remain, as always,

Yours,

I am enclosing the new table of contents from my book,[3] so that you may have something on hand in case you do manage to pique someone’s interest in it. You are cited more than most of the others—have I already told you that?