"I thoroughly enjoyed reading your book. Beneath its deliberately modest form lies a great deal of intelligence and sensitivity. The characters of François, Pierre, and Claire seem entirely successful to me. I would only quibble over a few minor stylistic oversights."
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Albert Camus (1913.1960)
Autographed letter signed to a novelist.
One page in quarto. Borders slightly sunned.
Cabris (Alpes Maritimes). January 30 [1950]
"I thoroughly enjoyed reading your book. It contains, in a deliberately modest form, a great deal of intelligence and sensitivity."
A beautiful letter from Camus, during his convalescence, illustrating his role as a literary mentor for the generation of writers who succeeded him.
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"Dear Sir, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your book. Beneath its deliberately modest form lies a great deal of intelligence and sensitivity. The characters of François, Pierre, and Claire strike me as entirely successful. I will only quibble with you about a few stylistic oversights, which I have, moreover, with a presumption excused only by my interest in your work, highlighted in your manuscript. I also believe you would benefit from removing the vulgar language, which is fashionable but clashes with the profound modesty of your book. That being said, I am willing to do whatever you ask. Would you like me to help you publish it? I will do my best, despite my distance from Paris, and it is quite possible that I will succeed."
What has become of your friend Claude Ravard? He too had spoken to me about a novel… But upon my return from South America, I had to stay in bed for two months, and I am here, undergoing treatment, for many more weeks. I don't know if he tried to see me, but if he did and was unable to meet me, well, alas, here are my reasons. In any case, please share with him my fondest regards and know that you have my deepest sympathy. Albert Camus in Cabris (Alpes-Maritimes) .
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Suffering from tuberculosis, Albert Camus left Paris and its toxic climate to spend a good part of 1950 and 1951 in Cabris, near Grasse. There he lived in Les Audides , a house lent to him by a friend of André Gide.