Letters to a Doubter

Letters to a Doubter by Jacques Riviere and Paul Claudel, translated by Henry Logan Stuart, 261 pages

 

In 1907, the young writer Jacques Riviere, who would go on to serve as editor of the influential literary journal La Nouvelle Revue Francais from 1919 until his death six years later, began a correspondence with the poet and playwright Paul Claudel.  Plagued by a restless heart but all too aware of the nothingness that haunts the materialist, Riviere saw hope in the Catholic vision found in Claudel's writings and desired to hear from the source.  What followed was a six year exchange of letters which affected Riviere for the remainder of his life.

 

Some readers may find the writing somewhat archaic in tone - Riviere's epistolary prose style, in particular, is overwrought by modern standards.  Further, most of the letters, as might be expected, are concerned with transitory interests, concerns, and pleasantries.  Although there are some productive exchanges, in the end this book is likely to be of interest only to staunch admirers of Claudel.