Thomas MANN entrusts the translation of “Tristan” and “Désordre”.

Thomas Mann (1875-1955)

Typed letter signed to the publisher Pierre Quint.

Two large quarto pages in German, on paper with his letterhead.

Munich. November 19, 1926.

Thomas Mann struggles with the French translations of his works.

“Dear Mr. Quint, Thank you very much for your detailed letter. I am leaving you with “Disorder” and “Tristan,” as well as the Liebermann engraving of me, which I find quite successful and which also appears in the German edition of my works. The short autobiography is contained in the volume “Rede und Antwort,” which you can obtain directly from the publisher under the title “Im Spiegel.” You will receive the requested bibliography in the next few days, as soon as it has been compiled, along with a handwritten index card. Regarding Madame Gilles’s translation, I am somewhat reassured to know that you consider her French perfect. Perhaps we shouldn’t judge her on a small piece of work (…). I agree that before deciding anything, we must check the existing translations, and I intend to do so (…). If I understand you correctly, you do not want the translation of the rest of Madame Gilles’s biography. I wrote to her, as well as to you, regarding some errors and uncertainties.” I also sent her the literal translation for comparison , and she said she was willing to correct the errors. Perhaps it will now be possible to improve it. In any case, I ask that you not notify me if you refuse, but rather rely on your own judgment. I think it would only benefit the translation if you did it yourself, but I leave that to your discretion…