Henry James writes (in French) to Maurice Barres, in praise of "Du Sang, de la Volupte et de la Mort", a copy of which had been sent to him, 7 September 1896.
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Henry James Print: Book
'Thanks for your letter & the book. A word in reference to the former.
I can?t boast that I discovered what purports to be the "central idea" of the novel for myself. I first heard of Barr?s in an article bY Edward Delille in the "Fortnightly." Next I read a criticism of this very book in the latest volume issued of Anatole France?s "La Vie Litteraire". Lastly there was a rather striking article in a recent "Scribner" on new ideas in French Literature generally in which the name of Barr?s was prominent.
So when I actually bought the book I knew just what to expect.
As I understand the thing, the author is at direct variance with Flaubert, Zola & Guy de Maupassant, who at all costs aim at an impartial, impersonal presentment of life. He prefers to take a character & describe events and men solely in relation to their effect on that character. In a word his novel is all hero. He cares nothing for absolute perspective. He interests himself in nothing but what affects his hero. Everything is described through the hero?s eyes, & consequently everything is intentionally coloured & distorted. He utterly despises the "one-eyed apathetic insight of the camera".
You mention his symbolism. I believe that the presence of numerous symbols & analogies in the actual writing is only a minor & unimportant manifestation of the symbolist theory. The whole book in its main outlines is a congeries of symbols. . . '
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Arnold Bennett Print: Book
Barrès is all right sometimes. The 'Jardin de Bérénice' is his best work. You ought to read Charles Louis Philippe’s 'Bubu de Montparnasse'. And Roger Martin du Gard’s 'Jean Barois'. These books will hold you. I should suggest also Colette’s 'Chéri', only I gravely doubt if you would be able to follow its very difficult colloquialisms. . . .
Roulette is a bit of a lark, but very dangerous. See the diary of Madame Dostoevsky on the subject of Feodor’s gambling mania. It is appalling.
Century: 1900-1945 Reader/Listener/Group: Arnold Bennett Print: Book
'Very hot. 92 and a following wind. Read the "Déracinés".'
Century: 1850-1899 Reader/Listener/Group: Gertrude Bell Print: Book
