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<div class="mw-translate-fuzzy">
=[https://proust.elan-numerique.fr/letter/04853 Marcel Proust to Henri de Régnier <nowiki>[Friday 12 December 1919]</nowiki>]=
=[http://www.corr-proust.org/letter/04853 Marcel Proust à Henri de Régnier <nowiki>[le vendredi 12 décembre 1919]</nowiki>]=  
<small>(Click on the link above to see this letter and its notes in the ''Corr-Proust'' digital edition, including all relevant hyperlinks.)</small>
<small>(Click on the link above to see this letter and its notes in the ''Corr-Proust'' digital edition, including all relevant hyperlinks.)</small>
</div>


<ref name="n1" />  
<ref name="n1" />  


<div lang="fr" dir="ltr" class="mw-content-ltr">
My dear sir and friend,
Cher Monsieur et ami
</div>


<div lang="fr" dir="ltr" class="mw-content-ltr">
I was deeply touched by the warm congratulations in your letter for such a minor achievement<ref name="n2" />. Despite my current state, I had intended, truly, to write back, until I received charming congratulations from Madame de Régnier which delighted, yet distressed me all the same.<ref name="n3" />. Thus presented with a question of academic concern, I shall take the liberty to discuss such matters in my correspondence to you. And as for Madame de Régnier, to avoid repetition for my part, I shall write her my thanks tomorrow, telling her that I had discussed the academic aspects with you earlier and will bother her no further. I say, “no further”, of course, with the knowledge that, you and your wife being one, she will doubtless learn of the contents of this letter no later than you. Madame de Régnier tells me that the Prix Goncourt is mine but she would almost be tempted to regret it because she was working on my behalf for the Grand Prix de l’Académie.<ref name="n4" /> If it came from any other person, I would have believed it to be a retrospective kindness, without any truth. But I know — since the distant times of the “Canaques”<ref name="n5" /> — that she is frankness itself. I was also touched beyond words, and on the other hand very perplexed, I am going to, if my strength can sustain me to the end of this letter, tell you why. I don’t exactly remember the time when I told you about the Grand Prix de littérature (and how could I have hoped that Madame de Régnier would work for me when you had taken a stand — and you told me it with extreme frankness and delicacy — for someone else)<ref name="n6" /> but it seems likely to me that I didn’t speak to you about the Prix Goncourt. Here’s the reason: I wasn’t thinking of it at all and hadn’t sent my books to the academicians. However (I believe since my correspondence with yourself) as I was saying to Reynaldo Hahn (who has left Léon Daudet) how much I regretted that the latter did not like my books nor comprehend their veiled yet rigorous composition, Reynaldo replied to me that, to the contrary, as someone had spoken of the Prix Goncourt and of a candidate, Léon Daudet had replied “that is not my view: I find the works of Proust to be superb, Du côté de chez Swann and Jeunes filles en fleurs and I’ll vote for him.”<ref name="n7" /> When I learnt this, I sent my book to the members of the Goncourt jury, on the off chance, but afterwards I was informed and received the assurance that the Prix Goncourt, if it excludes the award of La Vie Heureuse<ref name="n8" />, does not exclude in any case the award of the Academie Française. I add that I believed I had no chance at winning the Prix Goncourt. I learned gradually that Mr Élémir Bourges and Rosny aîné thought very highly of my books, but I did not know that they would advocate for them. I did not even know when the Prix Goncourt was. And when Léon Daudet came to announce to me that I had won it, it was like receiving a New Year's present at Christmas and in a year where no presents had been expected. Unfortunately Madame de Régnier’s letter (but will I be able to get to the end of this letter) seems to indicate that, contrary to what I was told, the Prix Goncourt excludes those from the Academy. If this is the case (she didn’t tell me this, but her letter seems to imply it), can I expect it for next year? I will be greatly interested in knowing, here’s why. I intend to publish all my other volumes together, which were written since 1914. However one of them, even without the immoral aspects (rather the opposite; quite involuntarily), is of such bluntness that it might make the Prix de l’Académie hold back. Hence, I would prefer to wait so as to publish them together. As I was financially ruined in 1913, I am not indifferent to a prize. And the Goncourt will lose its effect on book sales, because my publisher neglected to tell me that the work had sold out, and given the time it takes to reprint it, the few people that pay attention to the Prix Goncourt, will have forgotten about it. Admittedly, it is very true as was written in an otherwise absurd article in I don’t know which newspaper, that it is unfortunate to receive prizes at an age where one should rather be awarding them. But as I don’t think I ever had any chance of becoming a member of the Académie Française, I would prefer the Grand Prix de littérature which would get me read by some people and shine a bit of light on my otherwise unknown name, I would prefer the Grand Prix de littérature than nothing. I believe (without their ever having spoken of all that) that quite a few members of the Académie Française would be in my favour. I haven't yet sent my book to France nor to Barrès, for the same reason that I didn't send the full set to the Régnier household, through lack of first editions. But I know, despite not having seen them for fifteen years, how they feel towards me. As luck would have it, the academicians who, in the field of literature would seem to be hostile to me, are on the contrary favourable. Yesterday I received a long letter of congratulations from Henry Bordeaux<ref name="n9" /> who I have not seen for twenty five years. Maybe if this bothers the Académie to award the same book as the Goncourt<ref name="n10" />, the Académie could award the collection of works instead (À la recherche du temps perdu, Pastiches et mélanges, Les Plaisirs et les Jours).
Votre lettre m'a profondément touché, ces gentilles félicitations pour si peu de chose<ref name="n2" />. Et j'allais vous répondre, malgré l'état où je suis, quand un mot charmant de Madame de Régnier me ravit, me désole<ref name="n3" />. Comme il pose pour moi un problème académique, je me permets dans cette lettre d'en discuter avec vous, pour ne pas redire les mêmes choses deux fois, et demain j'écrirai à Madame de Régnier pour la remercier, en lui disant que je vous ai parlé de la partie académique et sans l'ennuyer de nouveau. Je dis de nouveau parce que je sais que vous ne faites qu'un tous les deux et que ce que je vais vous dire elle le saura aussitôt. Madame de Régnier me dit que ce prix Goncourt pour moi, elle serait presque tentée de le regretter car elle était en train de travailler pour moi pour le Grand Prix de l'Académie<ref name="n4" />. D'une autre personne qu'elle, je croirais que c'est une amabilité rétrospective, sans vérité. Mais je sais — depuis les temps lointains des « Canaques » <ref name="n5" /> — qu'elle est la franchise même. Aussi je suis touché plus que je ne puis dire et d'autre part très perplexe, je vais, si mes forces peuvent me soutenir jusqu'au bout de cette lettre, vous dire pourquoi. Je ne me souviens pas exactement de l'époque où je vous ai parlé du Grand Prix de littérature (et comment aurais-je pu espérer que Madame de Régnier travaillerait pour moi alors que vous aviez pris position — vous me l'avez dit avec une franchise et une délicatesse extrêmes — pour un autre)<ref name="n6" /> mais il me paraît probable que je ne vous ai pas parlé du prix Goncourt. Voici la raison : c'est que je n'y songeais nullement et n'avais pas envoyé mes livres aux académiciens. Mais (je crois bien depuis ma correspondance avec vous) comme je disais à Reynaldo Hahn (lequel quittait Léon Daudet) combien je regrettais que celui-ci n'aimât pas mes livres et n'en perçût pas la composition voilée mais rigoureuse, Reynaldo me répondit qu'au contraire comme quelqu'un avait parlé du prix Goncourt et d'un candidat, Léon Daudet avait répondu : « Ce n'est pas mon avis ; je trouve supérieure l'œuvre de Proust, Du côté de chez Swann et Jeunes filles en fleurs et c'est pour lui que je voterai »<ref name="n7" />. Quand j'appris cela j'envoyai à tout hasard mon livre aux académiciens Goncourt mais après m'être informé et après avoir reçu l'assurance que le prix Goncourt, s'il excluait celui de La Vie heureuse<ref name="n8" />, n'excluait nullement celui de l'Académie française. J'ajoute que je ne me croyais aucune chance pour le prix Goncourt, j'appris peu à peu que M. Élémir Bourges et Rosny aîné plaçaient très haut mes livres, mais je ne savais pas qu'ils batailleraient pour eux. Je ne savais même pas quand était le prix Goncourt. Et quand Léon Daudet vint m'annoncer que je l'avais, ce fut comme un cadeau de jour de l'an que j'aurais reçu à Noël et une année où on ne croyait pas avoir d'étrennes. Malheureusement la lettre de Madame de Régnier (mais vais-je pouvoir aller jusqu'au bout de cette lettre) semble indiquer que contrairement à ce qu'on m'avait dit, le prix Goncourt exclut celui de l'Académie. Si cela est (elle ne me le dit pas mais il me semble que cela ressort de sa lettre) puis-je l'espérer pour l'an prochain ? J'aurais grand intérêt à le savoir, voici pourquoi. Je compte faire paraître tous ensemble mes autres volumes, qui sont faits depuis 1914. Or l'un d'eux, sans tendances immorales (plutôt le contraire ; bien involontairement) est malgré cela d'une telle crudité qu'il empêcherait le Prix de l'Académie. J'aimerais donc mieux attendre pour les faire paraître. Comme j'ai été ruiné en 1913, un prix ne m'est pas indifférent. Et celui des Goncourt va manquer son effet de vente du livre, car mon éditeur avait négligé de me dire que l'ouvrage était épuisé, et le temps qu'il fasse « retirer », les quelques personnes qui font attention au prix Goncourt l'auront oublié. Certes, il est très vrai comme l'a écrit je ne sais quel journal dans un article, pour le reste absurde, qu'il est fâcheux de recevoir des prix à un âge où on en décerne plutôt. Mais comme je ne pense pas que j'aie jamais chance d'être membre de l'Académie française, j'aimerais mieux le Grand Prix de littérature qui me ferait lire de quelques personnes et mettrait un peu de lumière sur mon nom resté inconnu, j'aimerais mieux le Grand Prix de littérature que rien. Je crois (sans leur avoir jamais parlé de tout cela) que pas mal d'académiciens me seraient favorables. Je n'ai encore envoyé mon livre ni à France ni à Barrès, pour la même raison qui fait que je l'ai envoyé incomplètement au ménage Régnier, le manque de premières éditions. Mais je sais, quoique ne les ayant pas vus depuis quinze ans, leurs sentiments pour moi. Le hasard fait que des académiciens qui littérairement sembleraient devoir m'être hostiles, me sont au contraire favorables. J'ai reçu hier une longue lettre de félicitations d'Henry Bordeaux<ref name="n9" /> que je n'ai pas vu depuis vingt-cinq ans. Peut-être si cela ennuie l'Académie de couronner le même livre que les Goncourt<ref name="n10" />, pourrait-elle couronner l'œuvre (À la recherche du temps perdu, Pastiches et mélanges, Les Plaisirs et les Jours).
</div>


<div lang="fr" dir="ltr" class="mw-content-ltr">
Please let me know your opinion, and I offer you my high esteem, and ask you to accept and share my esteem and gratitude with Madame de Régnier.
Vous me direz votre avis et je vous envoie, en vous demandant de les agréer et de les partager avec Madame de Régnier, mes hommages de respectueuse et reconnaissante admiration.
</div>


<div lang="fr" dir="ltr" class="mw-content-ltr">
Marcel Proust
Marcel Proust
</div>


<ref name="n11" /> <ref name="n12" />
<ref name="n11" /> <ref name="n12" />
Line 31: Line 21:
<references>
<references>


<ref name="n1"> Note 1 </ref>
<ref name="n1"> This letter must date from Friday December 12 1919: gratitude for congratulations regarding the Prix Goncourt and mention of letters received on 11 December (see notes 2, 3, and especially 9 below). [PK, FL] </ref>


<ref name="n2"> Note 2 </ref>
<ref name="n2"> Congratulations for the Prix Goncourt. This letter has not been traced. [PK] </ref>


<ref name="n3"> Note 3 </ref>
<ref name="n3"> Word of congratulations from Marie de Régnier, most likely written on Thursday 11th December 1919 (see letter CP03978; Kolb XVII, no. 298). This note was brought with no stamp or postmark. We don’t know if Proust received it on the day or night of the 11 or 12 December. </ref>


<ref name="n4"> Note 4 </ref>
<ref name="n4"> This is with regards to the major prize awarded on behalf of the Académie Française, the Grand Prix de littérature de l'Académie française, as seen later on in the letter. Created in 1911, it was awarded annually. [FL] </ref>


<ref name="n5"> Note 5 </ref>
<ref name="n5"> The "Académie Canaque" was founded by Marie de Heredia around 1893–1895, to which Proust and Régnier were members. See note 2 of Marie de Régnier’s letter to Proust from [11 December 1919] (CP 03978; Kolb, XVIII, no. 298). [FL] </ref>


<ref name="n6"> Note 6 </ref>
<ref name="n6"> This “other” was Edmond Jaloux, who indeed won the Grand Prix de littérature de l'Académie française in 1920. See the following letter from Proust to Henri de Régnier [shortly after December 12 1919] and its note 3 (CP 04854; Kolb, XX, no. 377). [PK, FL] </ref>


<ref name="n7"> Note 7 </ref>
<ref name="n7"> Proust learnt of Léon Daudet’s intention from Reynaldo Hahn, who had stayed at the Daudet’s in La Roche (Indre-et-Loire). See the letter from Proust to Louis de Robert from [the start of September 1919] (CP 03902; Kolb, XVIII, no. 221). [PK] </ref>


<ref name="n8"> Note 8 </ref>
<ref name="n8"> Awarded by the Committee of women’s magazine La Vie heureuse, this prize was founded in 1904 in protest against the misogyny of the members of the Goncourt Jury, and to recognise the works of male and female authors in an unbiased way. The other big women’s magazine of the time, Femina, was merged with La Vie heureuse in 1917, the prize was called "Vie heureuse" or "Vie heureuse - Femina" for several years before taking on the name "Prix Femina" in 1922. [FL] </ref>


<ref name="n9"> Note 9 </ref>
<ref name="n9"> The letter from Bordeaux has not been traced, nor has any correspondence exchanged between him and Proust from that period. As Bordeaux likely didn’t know Proust’s recent address in Rue Hamelin, it is probable that wrote to the author through the Nouvelle Revue française, situated 37 rue Madame, from where the letter would have been forwarded to him: even supposing that this “long letter” was written as soon as the Prix Goncourt was announced, i.e. on the afternoon of 10 Décember, and posted in the evening, Proust could not therefore have received it before 11 December, on account of its (probable) detour. Since he said he had received this letter "yesterday", he must therefore have written to Régnier on 12 December. [PK, FL] </ref>


<ref name="n10"> Note 10 </ref>
<ref name="n10"> Unlike the Prix Goncourt, the Académie française's Grand Prix de littérature does not give an award to a single book, as Proust seems to believe throughout this letter, but, rather, to a writer's entire body of work. [FL] </ref>


<ref name="n11"> Translation notes: </ref>  
<ref name="n11"> Translation notes: </ref>  


<ref name="n12"> Contributors: </ref>
<ref name="n12"> Contributors: Skelly, Rgarner, M.deshpande, Yorktaylors, Etaafuli </ref>


</references>
</references>

Latest revision as of 02:19, 8 October 2023


Other languages:

Marcel Proust to Henri de Régnier [Friday 12 December 1919]

(Click on the link above to see this letter and its notes in the Corr-Proust digital edition, including all relevant hyperlinks.)

[1]

My dear sir and friend,

I was deeply touched by the warm congratulations in your letter for such a minor achievement[2]. Despite my current state, I had intended, truly, to write back, until I received charming congratulations from Madame de Régnier which delighted, yet distressed me all the same.[3]. Thus presented with a question of academic concern, I shall take the liberty to discuss such matters in my correspondence to you. And as for Madame de Régnier, to avoid repetition for my part, I shall write her my thanks tomorrow, telling her that I had discussed the academic aspects with you earlier and will bother her no further. I say, “no further”, of course, with the knowledge that, you and your wife being one, she will doubtless learn of the contents of this letter no later than you. Madame de Régnier tells me that the Prix Goncourt is mine but she would almost be tempted to regret it because she was working on my behalf for the Grand Prix de l’Académie.[4] If it came from any other person, I would have believed it to be a retrospective kindness, without any truth. But I know — since the distant times of the “Canaques”[5] — that she is frankness itself. I was also touched beyond words, and on the other hand very perplexed, I am going to, if my strength can sustain me to the end of this letter, tell you why. I don’t exactly remember the time when I told you about the Grand Prix de littérature (and how could I have hoped that Madame de Régnier would work for me when you had taken a stand — and you told me it with extreme frankness and delicacy — for someone else)[6] but it seems likely to me that I didn’t speak to you about the Prix Goncourt. Here’s the reason: I wasn’t thinking of it at all and hadn’t sent my books to the academicians. However (I believe since my correspondence with yourself) as I was saying to Reynaldo Hahn (who has left Léon Daudet) how much I regretted that the latter did not like my books nor comprehend their veiled yet rigorous composition, Reynaldo replied to me that, to the contrary, as someone had spoken of the Prix Goncourt and of a candidate, Léon Daudet had replied “that is not my view: I find the works of Proust to be superb, Du côté de chez Swann and Jeunes filles en fleurs and I’ll vote for him.”[7] When I learnt this, I sent my book to the members of the Goncourt jury, on the off chance, but afterwards I was informed and received the assurance that the Prix Goncourt, if it excludes the award of La Vie Heureuse[8], does not exclude in any case the award of the Academie Française. I add that I believed I had no chance at winning the Prix Goncourt. I learned gradually that Mr Élémir Bourges and Rosny aîné thought very highly of my books, but I did not know that they would advocate for them. I did not even know when the Prix Goncourt was. And when Léon Daudet came to announce to me that I had won it, it was like receiving a New Year's present at Christmas and in a year where no presents had been expected. Unfortunately Madame de Régnier’s letter (but will I be able to get to the end of this letter) seems to indicate that, contrary to what I was told, the Prix Goncourt excludes those from the Academy. If this is the case (she didn’t tell me this, but her letter seems to imply it), can I expect it for next year? I will be greatly interested in knowing, here’s why. I intend to publish all my other volumes together, which were written since 1914. However one of them, even without the immoral aspects (rather the opposite; quite involuntarily), is of such bluntness that it might make the Prix de l’Académie hold back. Hence, I would prefer to wait so as to publish them together. As I was financially ruined in 1913, I am not indifferent to a prize. And the Goncourt will lose its effect on book sales, because my publisher neglected to tell me that the work had sold out, and given the time it takes to reprint it, the few people that pay attention to the Prix Goncourt, will have forgotten about it. Admittedly, it is very true as was written in an otherwise absurd article in I don’t know which newspaper, that it is unfortunate to receive prizes at an age where one should rather be awarding them. But as I don’t think I ever had any chance of becoming a member of the Académie Française, I would prefer the Grand Prix de littérature which would get me read by some people and shine a bit of light on my otherwise unknown name, I would prefer the Grand Prix de littérature than nothing. I believe (without their ever having spoken of all that) that quite a few members of the Académie Française would be in my favour. I haven't yet sent my book to France nor to Barrès, for the same reason that I didn't send the full set to the Régnier household, through lack of first editions. But I know, despite not having seen them for fifteen years, how they feel towards me. As luck would have it, the academicians who, in the field of literature would seem to be hostile to me, are on the contrary favourable. Yesterday I received a long letter of congratulations from Henry Bordeaux[9] who I have not seen for twenty five years. Maybe if this bothers the Académie to award the same book as the Goncourt[10], the Académie could award the collection of works instead (À la recherche du temps perdu, Pastiches et mélanges, Les Plaisirs et les Jours).

Please let me know your opinion, and I offer you my high esteem, and ask you to accept and share my esteem and gratitude with Madame de Régnier.

Marcel Proust

[11] [12]

Notes

  1. ↑ This letter must date from Friday December 12 1919: gratitude for congratulations regarding the Prix Goncourt and mention of letters received on 11 December (see notes 2, 3, and especially 9 below). [PK, FL]
  2. ↑ Congratulations for the Prix Goncourt. This letter has not been traced. [PK]
  3. ↑ Word of congratulations from Marie de Régnier, most likely written on Thursday 11th December 1919 (see letter CP03978; Kolb XVII, no. 298). This note was brought with no stamp or postmark. We don’t know if Proust received it on the day or night of the 11 or 12 December.
  4. ↑ This is with regards to the major prize awarded on behalf of the Académie Française, the Grand Prix de littérature de l'Académie française, as seen later on in the letter. Created in 1911, it was awarded annually. [FL]
  5. ↑ The "Académie Canaque" was founded by Marie de Heredia around 1893–1895, to which Proust and Régnier were members. See note 2 of Marie de Régnier’s letter to Proust from [11 December 1919] (CP 03978; Kolb, XVIII, no. 298). [FL]
  6. ↑ This “other” was Edmond Jaloux, who indeed won the Grand Prix de littérature de l'Académie française in 1920. See the following letter from Proust to Henri de Régnier [shortly after December 12 1919] and its note 3 (CP 04854; Kolb, XX, no. 377). [PK, FL]
  7. ↑ Proust learnt of Léon Daudet’s intention from Reynaldo Hahn, who had stayed at the Daudet’s in La Roche (Indre-et-Loire). See the letter from Proust to Louis de Robert from [the start of September 1919] (CP 03902; Kolb, XVIII, no. 221). [PK]
  8. ↑ Awarded by the Committee of women’s magazine La Vie heureuse, this prize was founded in 1904 in protest against the misogyny of the members of the Goncourt Jury, and to recognise the works of male and female authors in an unbiased way. The other big women’s magazine of the time, Femina, was merged with La Vie heureuse in 1917, the prize was called "Vie heureuse" or "Vie heureuse - Femina" for several years before taking on the name "Prix Femina" in 1922. [FL]
  9. ↑ The letter from Bordeaux has not been traced, nor has any correspondence exchanged between him and Proust from that period. As Bordeaux likely didn’t know Proust’s recent address in Rue Hamelin, it is probable that wrote to the author through the Nouvelle Revue française, situated 37 rue Madame, from where the letter would have been forwarded to him: even supposing that this “long letter” was written as soon as the Prix Goncourt was announced, i.e. on the afternoon of 10 Décember, and posted in the evening, Proust could not therefore have received it before 11 December, on account of its (probable) detour. Since he said he had received this letter "yesterday", he must therefore have written to Régnier on 12 December. [PK, FL]
  10. ↑ Unlike the Prix Goncourt, the Académie française's Grand Prix de littérature does not give an award to a single book, as Proust seems to believe throughout this letter, but, rather, to a writer's entire body of work. [FL]
  11. ↑ Translation notes:
  12. ↑ Contributors: Skelly, Rgarner, M.deshpande, Yorktaylors, Etaafuli
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