That material which
you have just communicated to me is truly unencompassable in its
significance and weightiness. But what shall I do with it? In
order to write a colossal book such as the one you have in mind,
the words of others do not suffice--even though they be the most
exact--even observations, made with a little note-book and a bit
of pencil, do not suffice. One must grow accustomed to this life,
without being cunningly wise, without any ulterior thoughts of
writing. Then a terrific book will result.'
"His words discouraged me and at the same time gave me wings.
Since that time I believe, that now, not soon--after fifty years
or so--but there will come a writer of genius, and precisely a
Russian one, who will absorb within himself all the burdens and
all the abominations of this life and will cast them forth to us
in the form of simple, fine, and deathlessly-caustic images. And
we shall all say: 'Why, now, we, ourselves, have seen and known
all this, but we could not even suppose that this is so horrible!'
In this coming artist I believe with all my heart.
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