Marcel Jouhandeau & Jean Paulhan, 1921-1968
Marcel JouhandeauJean PaulhanMarcel Jouhandeau wrote to Jean Paulhan in 1960: “Never have I been more
with you, from morning to evening. I am classifying your letters, none of which are dated (at
the help of a chronology of mine).
It's a world. I don't believe there are many matches of this magnitude and quality.
History constantly rubs shoulders with our history, but it is the unalterable
delicacy which you show towards me which takes away everything and tears from me
tears.”
Marcel Jouhandeau says it all, happiness and misfortune mixed together in the letters presented here, as he did in his books. The joys and pride of the solitary adventure, the uninterrupted dialogue with God, the love-hate for Élise, the protection of her son Marc ended up erasing the mutilations of “leprosy” which disfigured young Godeau. These letters show it from behind the scenes. He is even more human.
Jean Paulhan, the editor, the magazine director, Gaston's collaborator
Gallimard happily played the mysterious man. This opacity amused him and
served. For the first time, here, he approaches the intimate mode and his letters
finally reveal and illuminate the multiple traits of this personality who
so confused.
The 904 letters written by these two authors from 1921 to 1968 are not simple classified documents, they tell a story.
Publisher : Gallimard