079. Primo Levi a Hans Jürgen Fröhlich, 29 febbraio 1964

29 febbraio 1964

Caro Signor Fröhlich,

mi perdonerà se Le scrivo in inglese, che non è né la mia lingua né la Sua; ma è l’unico modo per farmi leggere da Lei direttamente, e non attraverso un interprete.

Molte grazie per i Suoi complimenti; questa vicenda del “Premio Campiello” mi ha fatto piacere, ma non dimentichi che in Italia abbiamo una quantità spaventosa di premi letterari. Ce ne saranno 40 o 50: una vera inflazione!

Ho appena ricevuto dal signor Picht la traduzione tedesca dei primi due capitoli della Tregua, e spero (ma non credo) che il libro possa essere pubblicato entro l’anno. Però sono rimasto un po’ deluso dalla qualità della traduzione, che, al contrario della prova presentata all’inizio, non mi è parsa molto accurata.[1] La ringrazio molto per la Sua proposta di recensire il libro, che accetto con entusiasmo.

Infine, dopo una così lunga attesa, dall’Einaudi mi hanno finalmente comunicato di aver letto la Sua pièce Vier Wände, e di averla apprezzata, ma di non avere una «collana» (non conosco il termine equivalente in inglese o in tedesco) in cui possa trovar posto un’opera teatrale a sé stante. Ci sono rimasto male per Lei: avrebbero potuto rispondere prima, non trova?

Sarei lieto di rivederLa e di fare un’amichevole chiacchierata con Lei sul Suo paese e sul mio e su molti altri argomenti. In attesa del nostro incontro,

i miei più cordiali saluti, Suo

Primo Levi

February 29th, 1964

Dear Mr. Fröhlich,

you will excuse me if I write to you in English, not my language nor yours; but it is the only way to be read by you directly, and not through an interpreter.

Many thanks for your compliments: this “Premio Campiello” affair was a rather agreeable one, but do not forget the frightful number of Italian literary Prices. They are 40 or 50: a real inflation!

I have just received from Mr. Picht the German translation of the two first chapters of La Tregua, and I hope (but do not believe) that the book can be published within the year. Moreover, I have been a little disappointed by the quality of the translation, which, contrary to that of the translation-essay produced earlier, has seemed to me not quite accurate.[1] I am very grateful to you for your proposal of reviewing the book, which I accept with enthusiasm.

At last, after so long waiting, the Einaudi people have finally told me that they have read your pièce Vier Wände, and appreciated it, but they have no book-line (“collana”: I do not know the English nor the German equivalent) where one single Theaterstück could fit. I have been worried on your behalf: they could have replied earlier, don’t you think?

I should be glad to see you again and to have a friendly talk with you about your country and mine and many other subjects. Until we meet again,

I am

Yours very sincerely

Primo Levi

February 29th, 1964

Dear Mr. Fröhlich,

you will excuse me if I write to you in English, not my language nor yours; but it is the only way to be read by you directly, and not through an interpreter.

Many thanks for your compliments: this “Premio Campiello” affair was a rather agreeable one, but do not forget the frightful number of Italian literary Prices. They are 40 or 50: a real inflation!

I have just received from Mr. Picht the German translation of the two first chapters of La Tregua, and I hope (but do not believe) that the book can be published within the year. Moreover, I have been a little disappointed by the quality of the translation, which, contrary to that of the translation-essay produced earlier, has seemed to me not quite accurate.[1] I am very grateful to you for your proposal of reviewing the book, which I accept with enthusiasm.

At last, after so long waiting, the Einaudi people have finally told me that they have read your pièce Vier Wände, and appreciated it, but they have no book-line (“collana”: I do not know the English nor the German equivalent) where one single Theaterstück could fit. I have been worried on your behalf: they could have replied earlier, don’t you think?

I should be glad to see you again and to have a friendly talk with you about your country and mine and many other subjects. Until we meet again,

I am

Yours very sincerely

Primo Levi

February 29th, 1964

Dear Mr. Fröhlich,

you will excuse me if I write to you in English, not my language nor yours; but it is the only way to be read by you directly, and not through an interpreter.

Many thanks for your compliments: this “Premio Campiello” affair was a rather agreeable one, but do not forget the frightful number of Italian literary Prices. They are 40 or 50: a real inflation!

I have just received from Mr. Picht the German translation of the two first chapters of La Tregua, and I hope (but do not believe) that the book can be published within the year. Moreover, I have been a little disappointed by the quality of the translation, which, contrary to that of the translation-essay produced earlier, has seemed to me not quite accurate.[1] I am very grateful to you for your proposal of reviewing the book, which I accept with enthusiasm.

At last, after so long waiting, the Einaudi people have finally told me that they have read your pièce Vier Wände, and appreciated it, but they have no book-line (“collana”: I do not know the English nor the German equivalent) where one single Theaterstück could fit. I have been worried on your behalf: they could have replied earlier, don’t you think?

I should be glad to see you again and to have a friendly talk with you about your country and mine and many other subjects. Until we meet again,

I am

Yours very sincerely

Primo Levi