029. Primo Levi a Hermann Langbein, 30 aprile 1972

30/4/1972

Caro Hermann,

grazie molte per il riassunto del tuo libro. L’ho presentato immediatamente all’editore Einaudi: in linea di massima (ovvero, naturalmente, senza impegno) i lettori si sono detti interessati a guardarlo e mi hanno incaricato di dirti che sarebbero lieti di ricevere le bozze di stampa: puoi mandarle direttamente a questo indirizzo:

GIULIO EINAUDI Editore – via Umberto Biancamano 1 – 10100 TORINO[1]

All’attenzione del Dott. Ernesto Ferrero.[2]

Pur lasciando a loro la precedenza, cercherò di farmele dare subito dopo per poterle leggere io stesso.

Frattanto ho scritto a Luciana Momigliano,[3] per sollecitarla a contattarti; quanto a Bianca Morpurgo, ho tentato invano di trovarla: è andata via da Genova molti anni fa, pare che abbia abitato per qualche tempo a Verona, da dove è sparita senza lasciare tracce.

Con i migliori auguri per il tuo libro e per te personalmente, il tuo amico e compagno

Primo Levi

4/30/1972

Dear Hermann,

Thank you for the summary of your book. I immediately showed it to the publisher Einaudi: in theory (meaning, naturally, without commitment) the readers said they were interested in reading it, and they told me to tell you that they would be happy to receive the proofs: you can send them directly to this address:

GIULIO EINAUDI Editore – via Umberto Biancamano 1 – 10100 TORINO[1]

All’attenzione del Dott. Ernesto Ferrero.[2]

Although I am giving them the first opportunity, I will try to obtain the proofs after they have finished so that I can read them myself.

In the meantime, I have written to Luciana Momigliano,[3] to ask her to write to you; as for Bianca Morpurgo, I have tried in vain to find her: she left Genoa many years ago, and seems to have lived in Verona for a while, but she disappeared from there without a trace.

With my best wishes for your book and for you personally, I remain
your friend and comrade

Primo Levi

30/4/1972

Cher Hermann,

merci bien du résumé de ton livre. Je l’ai immédiatement présenté à l’éditeur Einaudi: en principe (c’est à dire, naturellement, sans engagement) les lecteurs se sont déclarés intéressés à le lire, et ils m’ont chargé de te dire qu’ils seraient heureux de recevoir les épreuves d’impression: tu peux les envoyer directement à cette adresse:

GIULIO EINAUDI Editore – via Umberto Biancamano 1 – 10100 TORINO[1]

All’attenzione del Dott. Ernesto Ferrero.[2]

Tout en leur laissant la priorité, je tâcherai de les avoir après leur lecture, pour les lire moi-même.

Entre temps, j’ai écrit à Luciana Momigliano,[3] pour la solliciter à t’écrire ; pour ce qui est de Bianca Morpurgo, j’ai essayé vainement de la retrouver: elle s’est éloignée de Gênes depuis bien des années, paraît avoir habité quelque temps à Vérone, d’où elle a disparu sans laisser aucune trace.

Avec mes voeux les meilleurs pour ton ouvrage et pour toi personnellement, je suis
ton ami et camarade

Primo Levi

4/30/1972

Dear Hermann,

Thank you for the summary of your book. I immediately showed it to the publisher Einaudi: in theory (meaning, naturally, without commitment) the readers said they were interested in reading it, and they told me to tell you that they would be happy to receive the proofs: you can send them directly to this address:

GIULIO EINAUDI Editore – via Umberto Biancamano 1 – 10100 TORINO[1]

All’attenzione del Dott. Ernesto Ferrero.[2]

Although I am giving them the first opportunity, I will try to obtain the proofs after they have finished so that I can read them myself.

In the meantime, I have written to Luciana Momigliano,[3] to ask her to write to you; as for Bianca Morpurgo, I have tried in vain to find her: she left Genoa many years ago, and seems to have lived in Verona for a while, but she disappeared from there without a trace.

With my best wishes for your book and for you personally, I remain
your friend and comrade

Primo Levi