Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1900-1944)
A unique autograph letter of exceptional content written by Saint-Exupéry to his wife, Consuelo.
Original photograph by Lari Weeks sold with letter. |
"Consuelo dear... I am exhausted, dead... I haven't slept. Today we had a date to meet... (it's true I arrived fifteen minutes late. And it was because of work, exhausting discussions-- and I am worn out.)" "You just don't seem to care... And you know my condition. You are very unkind to cause me such pain. I don't deserve it." "Quite so I have reason enough to feel bitter about life. You never give me what I thirst for. I am happy a little in the country and there I become affectionate again. Because I'm willing to deceive myself. Banquets, gallery-openings, late-night suppers, coctail parties-- you're a banquet, gallery-opening, late-night supper, coctail-party lady... Wouldn't it be better for you to be home a little more often? Is there then no more then the shadow of hope?" |
| "I hunger so much to be helped... The help of a wife... It would have been yesterday, this morning, this evening to prepare some dinner. To pour me a cup of tea. To place your hand on my forehead. When I am no longer alive you will know what you have lost. You make me hate life-- is it of any use? All our visits have been bitter. You've reproached me for my character." | 
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"Consuelo it is never I who begin... I give everything and in exchange I receive only ugly words. I was hoping so much for you to care. I have a kind of shyness. I never demand your help. I did my all to let you know that I would like to have dinner with you. But your social functions! Your help would be to restore peace and calm to me." --partial translation (from the French) of the letter offered for sale |
Read the story of this remarkable letter.