LGBTQ Writer Jean Genet Letter Discussing Rights to Notre Dame des Fleurs

Jean Genet

Manuscripts & Autographs

Genet, Jean. Autograph letter discussing translation and film rights related to Notre Dame des Fleurs, written during the period of the novel’s international circulation. Jean Genet, French novelist, playwright, and political activist whose early criminal life informed a body of autobiographical fiction confronting bourgeois morality, sexuality, and social exclusion, wrote Notre Dame des Fleurs in the 1940s while imprisoned in France. The novel quickly became a foundational work of twentieth century queer literature and avant-garde French writing. In this letter Genet addresses the English translation rights and a proposed cinematic adaptation of the book, providing direct documentary evidence of the author’s involvement in managing the international dissemination of one of his most influential works.

Genet, Jean. Autograph Letter Signed. Two pages on Terrass Hotel Paris letterhead. Undated. In the letter Genet responds to a correspondent regarding both translation and film rights connected to Notre Dame des Fleurs. Writing in English, he states: “Dear Madame, I was very happy to receive your letter in excellent French in fact. But I must regretfully tell you that Frechtman has already translated N D [Notre Dame] des Fleurs in English and it is he who possesses all the rights to that language and for this book… regarding the movie, I have communicated your letter to the owner of the film… he will write to you and will tell you a price. It is with him that you must deal. But I thank you for all your kindness and I hope to see you soon in Paris. In the meantime, I shake your hand in friendship. Jean Genet.” The letter directly references translator Bernard Frechtman, who produced the first widely circulated English translation of Notre Dame des Fleurs, and confirms that translation rights for the English language were already assigned at the time of writing.

Genet’s Notre Dame des Fleurs stands among the most influential literary works of twentieth century queer literature, presenting a stylized narrative centered on criminals, drag performers, and outsiders in Parisian underworld culture. Written while Genet was incarcerated and later championed by figures including Jean-Paul Sartre and the Parisian avant-garde, the novel played a major role in establishing Genet as a central figure in postwar French literature and in the literary articulation of queer identity. Correspondence discussing translation rights and possible film adaptation offers unusually direct evidence of the mechanisms through which Genet’s work circulated internationally during the mid twentieth century. Light handling wear with minor age toning; overall very good condition. A scarce piece of authorial correspondence directly referencing Genet’s most celebrated novel.

Item #10094

Price: $700.00