FLAUBERT Gustave (1821-1880). Lot n° 86

32 L.A.S. "Gve Flaubert" and a dictated letter, [Paris or Croisset 1871-1880], to Émile ZOLA; 48 pages in-8 and one page in-12, mounted on tabs, and bound in a volume in-8, half tan leather. Very beautiful and friendly literary correspondence, expressing his admiration for Zola's novels, and informing him of the progress of Bouvard et Pécuchet. [We restore the chronological order, giving at the end of each letter its number in the volume, and its reference in the Correspondance (Pléiade). Several letters have been dated in pencil by Zola, who sometimes scribbled notes on the back of the letters. We have here almost all of Flaubert's letters to Zola (33 out of 43), to which 2 letters in copy have been attached]. November 15 [1871]. On arriving in Paris, he finds the volume [La Fortune des Rougon]: "I will begin it this evening - and as soon as I have read it I will go to see you..." (34; IV, 411). Friday evening [1 December 1871], on La Fortune des Rougon. "I have just finished your atrocious & beautiful book! I am still dizzy from it. It is strong! Very strong! I only blame the Preface. In my opinion it spoils your work which is so impartial and so high. You tell your secret, which is too candid - and you express your opinion, something that in my poetics (mine) a novelist has no right to do. These are all my restrictions. But you have a proud talent & you are a good man! "...(1; IV, 424). [22 ? April 1873], inviting Zola to read Le Sexe faible at Charpentier. (33; IV, 411). Tuesday evening [26 May 1874], on La Conquête de Plassans: "It is very strong! my good man! I read it in one breath, & I am dizzy with it. In 8 days I will read it again slowly! to see if I am right to be enthusiastic. I got a big shock, like from an electric machine. You will not be sued. Poetry will save you. But I understand the terrors of the young Charpentier"... (26; IV, 801). Croisset June 3 [1874]. "I have read it, La Conquête de Plassans, read it, all at once, as one swallows a good glass of wine, then ruminated on it - & now, my dear friend, I can talk about it, knowingly. I was afraid after Le Ventre de Paris that you would sink into the system, into bias. But no! Come on, you're a brave man! And your last book is a skullful book! Perhaps it lacks a prominent middle, a central scene, (something that never happens in nature) and perhaps also, there is a little too much dialogue in the incidental parts! Here is, by spelling you out well, all that I find to say, - unfavorable - but what an observation! what depth! what a grip! What strikes me is, first of all, the general tone of the book, this ferocity of passion under a gentle surface. That is strong, my old man, very strong, râblé & bien portant "... etc. (3; IV, 805). August 2 [1874]. Worried about the departure of the actor Weinschenk for the Menus-Plaisirs. "Yesterday evening, I finally started my bonshommes" [Bouvard et Pécuchet]. (11; IV, 846). October 8 [1874], he worries about the rehearsals [of Les Héritiers Rabourdin]. (5; IV, 876). [11 October 1874]. "Far from being upset by the delay of my play, it pleases me. He will go to the dress rehearsal and to the premiere of Zola's play. Zola's notes in pencil on the back of the letter. (6; IV, 877). Wednesday [28 October 1874]. "If you are played on Monday, you will see me on Saturday (for I am anxious to see your dress rehearsal)..." (7; IV, 881). Tuesday evening [10 November 1874]. "You forget me, for you promised to give me news of your Heirs. How did the performance of Sunday go?"...(8; IV, 884). Thursday [December 17, 1874]. "Tourgueneff, de Goncourt & Daudet will be at my house on Sunday afternoon to agree with you on the next day of our Festival... (32; IV, 897). Wednesday [January 20, 1875]. Dinner cancelled: "I don't think it is very serious, but it is very annoying! A hundred pulses a minute, frequent coughing fits, headache & stupor, with a large consumption of pocket handkerchiefs"... (28; IV, 906). Saturday [May 1, 1875?]. Invitation to a dinner at Petit & Adolphe's. (25; IV, 922). 13 August [1875]. "You look very sad to me! But you will not complain any more when you know what is happening to me. My nephew is completely ruined, & I, as a result, greatly damaged. Will things get better? I doubt it. I am heartbroken because of my niece! What a pain to see a child that one loves humiliated! My life is now turned upside down. I will always have something to live for, but under different conditions. As for literature, I am unable to do any work. For nearly four months (that we are in infernal anguish) I have written, in all, 14 pages, - & bad! My poor brain will not resist to such a blow. This is what