Fascinating and lengthy original handwritten twelve-page manuscript, in French, signed “Emile Zola,” the manuscript being a preface for a work entitled Mémoires de Paris by Charles Chincholle. Accompanied by a one-page ALS from Zola, dated April 16, 1889, presenting the manuscript, and reading: “Here is the promised preface. Make sure to send me a proof so that I can correct it with care.” The manuscript and letter are hardbound together to an overall size of 6.75 x 8.5, and accompanied by a hardcover French edition of Chincholle’s book, featuring Zola’s finished preface.
In this manuscript, Zola deplores the proliferation of the daily press. He also contrasts indifference of reporters with the sincerity of Chincholle's own writing and observations. While critical of his novels, Zola esteems the honesty of his approach. The manuscript reads, in part: “It is quite true that long ago I promised you a preface. I will therefore keep my word. But regrettably, while your book lingered I allowed myself to divulge my thoughts on newspapers and modern reporting in the prefaces of two other recently published books. And here I am, in the preface to your book, forced to repeat, even insist upon, the negative aspects of a society drowning in information, whereas I addressed the more positive social and literary facets of such inundation elsewhere.
This virus, this surplus of information, has seeped deep into our bones, and we are like alcoholics who wither the second the poison that is destroying them is snatched away. If only we did not haul the turbulence of the century around our necks; the mind of today’s man is so weighted down with information, haphazardly deposited there each day by the press!…I imagine that when France analyzed herself less feverishly, when each morning hundreds of newspapers did not bring her a detailed, often hyperbolized account of every tiny speck of trouble, her nerves were far calmer, her health more balanced and assured. I am certain that journalism actually plays a principal role in what we are calling the ‘neurosis of the century,’ this exponential, frantic excitement that is transforming and unsettling the nation. Is it not journalism that is both exacerbating and propagating the upheaval?
All dictatorial regimes open with a muzzling of the press, as there is no more effective way of calming any uprising; promptly hot heads are cooled, stomachs expand and a period of material prosperity sets in. In its state of rustic detachment, the nation is no longer preoccupied and is as calm as an animal put to pasture.… Look at where we are, after twenty-eight years of a free press: we are disgusted with politics, tired of governing ourselves and of experiencing and reliving our suffering, minute by minute! If our Assemblies are unpopular, it is because we are too obsessed with them, because such a minor undertaking generates far too much noise for its size…Thus, this malady of excessive information has the negative consequence of overexciting the public, leaving society shaken up by the events of today, fearful of the events of tomorrow. Facts thus assume a disproportionately high importance; we live in a state of constant tension…
Every facet of society has its danger, a trail of blood left in its wake, and we should not fool ourselves: the press is in the process of recreating nations, of remoulding the world. Where is the press bringing us? Who can say? Certainly toward more defined instructions, as well as toward unity of thought. Today, actual knowledge seems to be a distressing, unfortunate thing, simply useful for disrupting our slumber. In the future, when we know more, perhaps such knowledge will engender happiness… What we must also address, in this crazed race for information, this desperate frenzy for a newspaper to stay ahead of the competition, is that the worker deserves a more researched, thorough result than what is present in the papers of today. What lies and foolishness, thrown by the dozen into public circulation! Who cares about truth and logic, so long as tomorrow morning’s edition features a new thrill! Reporters barely control themselves and are the last to believe what they have put in ink. Their only concern is the copy they write and their goals for the month; they scoff at all that is black and white. Their indifference rots away at the occupation itself, and few among them enjoy what they do.
You, my dear colleague, are a believer. I have read the book, and it is alive with awareness and reverence for the information that you are seeking, as well as the desire to fully record the sensations that such information produced in you. There is also quite a bit of naivety, and I am paying you a great compliment in saying so; I truly prize the portrayal of facts in an uncritical manner. If at times they mock you, it is because you give your all to your prose, as a writer in good faith. Hold your head high: one is hard-pressed to find such originality in a modest career such as journalism. You have conviction; you are a scribe with imagination who believes in his reporting, which is exceedingly rare in the mass of simple sound-bites and spoilsports.” In overall fine condition. A complete transcript of the preface is available online at rrauction.com
Reminiscent of his famous piece "J'accuse!", the preface to Les Memoires de Paris is a signature Zola-esque sharp accusation, this time aimed directly at the press and journalism. It is also a fine example of Zola's wit: he gives Chincholle a muted but complimentary introduction to his work, while at the same time betraying a somewhat superior disdain for (what Zola considers is Chincholle's) simple and naive attempt to transcend both journalism and literature. It is a masterful indictment, accusing the press as being directly responsible for certain societal ills resulting from the public's exposure to too much poor quality, badly written and disposable information. However, several years later, Zola would use that same press to publish his famous letter, “J’accuse!,” using the same type of journalism he attacks in his preface for Chincholle. That 1898 article by Zola is widely marked in France as the most prominent manifestation of the new power of the intellectuals (writers, artists, academicians) in shaping public opinion, the media and the State. This offered preface is wonderful example of Zola's eloquent, incisive and cutting prose. And, the messages contained therein are as relevant (if not more relevant) today in the "Information Age" as they were when written by Zola over 120 years ago. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA. Please scroll to see images of all manuscript pages.
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