Octave Mirbeau Autographed Letter Signed on the Book of Life! 1890

  

Handwritten signed letter from Octave Mirbeau to Maurice de Fleury: Eulogy of a work and literary encouragement dated October 28, 1890. Author of famous novels such as "The Diary of a Chambermaid" and "Business is Business", he is known for his sharp pen and his political and social commitment. A literary critic at Le Figaro, he also left his mark on his time with his writings on art and his defense of artistic modernity. Close to literary figures such as Emile Zola and Joris-Karl Huysmans, de Fleury influenced Zola's work with his scientific knowledge.

He published works on depressive states and neurasthenia and was elected as a free associate of the Academy of Medicine in 1909. This letter was written in a context of mutual respect and admiration between two men of letters. Maurice de Fleury had probably just published a new book (which one remains to be seen).

The friendly and professional relationship between Mirbeau and de Fleury is reflected in the tone of the letter, which expresses great admiration for de Fleury's literary skills. "Pont de l'arche, Eure. My dear colleague and friend.

Thank you for the book and for the overly flattering dedication you have written in it. Your book is very good, and as you say in your preface (which I like less), there is a masculine love for life that shines through in every sentence, a narration of matter that I find excellent, strong, and healthy. It's the "Nuptial Song", despite your reservations, that I don't understand. It's simply very beautiful, very noble, and very grand. The beautiful book that you could create, the book of Life!

Because you have this unique chance to be these two men who usually exclude each other: a scientist and a writer. That is, what none of us possesses. You can save the novel from the stubborn unintelligence in which it wallows with everyone, and from the sticky confectionery, in which it sweetens with us. How I have dreamed of writing this book!

And how it haunts me and tempts me! But I am completely unfit. And to think that it is nevertheless the only one to write today. It is expected from you.

Format: 1 page, folio, with envelope. Condition: good condition, two tears on the 2nd page (see photos), handwriting very legible and ink well preserved.