044. Primo Levi a Hermann Langbein, 29 aprile 1974

Signor
Hermann Langbein
A-1100 WIEN, Weigandhof 5

29/4/1974

Caro Hermann,

mi scuserai se ti scrivo solo oggi: la tua del 21/2 non mi è arrivata prima del 26 e solo oggi ho potuto raggiungere al telefono il signor Tozzi, redattore di Mursia. Per inciso: non c’è nulla di straordinario, le poste italiane sono disastrose.

Tozzi mi ha detto che hanno intenzione di pubblicarti il libro, ma che bisognerebbe assolutamente ridurlo di più o meno 100 pagine, così da abbassare il prezzo. Siccome la questione mi sembrava abbastanza delicata, gli ho dato il tuo indirizzo pregandolo di scrivere direttamente a te; se non lo fa, il suo recapito è: Dott. Roberto Tozzi, Ugo Mursia Editore, via Tadino 29, 20124 MILANO.

Gli manderò le recensioni. Non sorprenderti se insisto nei miei tentativi; non è solo per amicizia, ma anche perché, in quest’epoca di restaurazione fascista,[1] una testimonianza come la tua sarebbe molto attuale e importante.

Un abbraccio affettuoso

Primo[2]

Herrn
Hermann Langbein
A-1100 WIEN, Weigandhof 5

4/29/1974

Dear Hermann,

You will forgive me for writing to you only today: your letter of 2/21 only arrived on the 26^th, and only today was I able to reach Mr. Tozzi, editor at Mursia, on the phone. Incidentally, this is not at all unusual; the Italian postal service is catastrophic.

Mr. Tozzi told me that they want to publish your book, but that it must absolutely be shortened by about 100 pages to reduce the price. As the issue seemed quite delicate to me, I gave him your address and asked him to write to you directly; if he does not, his address is: Mr. Roberto Tozzi, U. Mursia Ed., via Tadino 29, 20124 MILANO.

I will send him the reviews. Do not be surprised if I insist in my attempts; it is not only through friendship, but also because, during this time of fascist revival,[1] an account like yours would be very timely and important.

Very fondly

Primo[2]

Herrn
Hermann Langbein
A-1100 WIEN, Weigandhof 5

29/4/1974

Cher Hermann,

tu me pardonneras si je t’écris seulement aujourd’hui: ta lettre du 21/2 ne m’est arrivée que le 26, et seulement aujourd’hui j’ai pu trouver au téléphone M. Tozzi, rédacteur de Mursia. En passant: ça n’a rien d’exceptionnel, les postes italiennes sont catastrophales.

M. Tozzi m’a dit qu’ils ont l’intention de publier ton livre, mais qu’il faudrait absolument l’accourcir d’environ 100 pages afin de reduire le prix. Comme la question me semblait assez délicate, je lui ai donné ton adresse et je l’ai prié de t’écrire directement; s’il ne le fait pas, son adresse est: Dott. Roberto Tozzi, U. Mursia Ed., via Tadino 29, 20124 MILANO.

Je vais lui envoyer les Besprechungen. Ne t’étonne pas si j’insiste dans mes tentatives; ce n’est pas seulement pour amitié, c’est aussi parce que, en ce temps de réstauration fasciste,[1] un témoignage comme le tien serait très-actuel et important.

Je t’embrasse bien fort

Primo[2]

Herrn
Hermann Langbein
A-1100 WIEN, Weigandhof 5

4/29/1974

Dear Hermann,

You will forgive me for writing to you only today: your letter of 2/21 only arrived on the 26^th, and only today was I able to reach Mr. Tozzi, editor at Mursia, on the phone. Incidentally, this is not at all unusual; the Italian postal service is catastrophic.

Mr. Tozzi told me that they want to publish your book, but that it must absolutely be shortened by about 100 pages to reduce the price. As the issue seemed quite delicate to me, I gave him your address and asked him to write to you directly; if he does not, his address is: Mr. Roberto Tozzi, U. Mursia Ed., via Tadino 29, 20124 MILANO.

I will send him the reviews. Do not be surprised if I insist in my attempts; it is not only through friendship, but also because, during this time of fascist revival,[1] an account like yours would be very timely and important.

Very fondly

Primo[2]