67 - CÉLINE (Louis-Ferdinand). Autograph letter signed “LFCéline” [to Charles Deshayes]. “The 15th” [Denmark, probably late 1940s]. 1½ pages, folio size, with original envelope, no postmark.

CÉLINE (Louis-Ferdinand). Autograph letter signed “LFCéline” [to Charles Deshayes]. “The 15th” [Denmark, probably late 1940s]. 1½ pages, folio size, with original envelope, no postmark. “You really ought to spend a few years in prison first… to get the words and ideas out of your system… you live off concepts… ALL OF THIS IS GRATUITOUS, GENEROUS, ROMANTIC, LYRICAL, BUT FAR REMOVED FROM REALITY. I ONCE HAD THIS MENTALITY; I’VE RECOVERED FROM IT. I’VE PAID THE PRICE. I couldn’t care less that the entire French establishment is in the hands of the Jocrisses, AS LONG AS I CAN RETURN TO FRANCE AND GO FISHING THERE. Once you’ve been through what I’ve been through, you’ll think the same way. EVERYTHING ELSE IS JUST HYPE AND LITERATURE—AND AT THE END OF IT ALL, MARTYRDOM AND RIDICULE...” CHARLES DESHAYES, “A FERVENT YOUNG MAN, WHO POSSESSES AN EXCELLENT PAMPHLETIST’S PEN AND A STRONG TEMPERAMENT” (CÉLINE). A young journalist from Lyon and a passionate admirer of Céline, Charles Deshayes was eager to defend the man he called his “dear master,” or even his “dear grand master.” Having come into contact with him through the lawyer Maître Naud, he launched a press campaign on Céline’s behalf, sought out a publisher willing to publish him again, and, above all, embarked in March 1950 on a book-length defense titled *L’Affaire Céline*: Céline encouraged him for a time before growing annoyed by his blunders and, above all, becoming concerned about further, untimely publicity. Charles Deshayes nevertheless tried to get the book published, to no avail, and their relationship cooled and then ceased entirely beginning in March 1951. In 1956, he sought to reestablish contact with Céline through his secretary, Marie Canavaggia.