I am a literary giant in Russia

Chapter 208 Mikhail's Experience in Russia

When Etienne glanced at the newspaper, he was shocked to see the headline: "A lewd script! Blasphemous Russians."

Upon seeing the headline, Etienne immediately understood what was going on. He was startled, wondering how the news had been leaked. He then quickly pledged his loyalty to Mikhail.

“Mr. Mikhail, I assure you that I have not disclosed this matter to anyone throughout the entire process, and if you wish to investigate, I will fully cooperate with you!”

Etienne's attitude was primarily driven by the fact that the other party was a bestselling novelist, in addition to money. If any of his novels were to be adapted into screenplays in the future, having even a slight priority would undoubtedly attract a large audience.

While expressing his loyalty, Etienne had actually guessed something. The main reason for this was probably because the play was credited to this gentleman's real name. Balzac had to use a pseudonym when writing those dissolute books. How could this young Russian man be so confident?
Of course, it doesn't matter how confident the other party is, as long as they don't take their anger out on their theater.

Thinking of this, Etienne couldn't help but observe the young man's expression. Many of the articles in those newspapers were certainly humiliating and sarcastic, but Etienne couldn't see any change in Mikhail's expression. Sometimes, he even smiled knowingly because of some interesting content in the newspapers.
Is he really that well-mannered? Or was all of this exactly what he expected?
"No need, it's alright, it's nothing."

Mikhail gave the theater manager a casual reply before continuing to read the newspaper in his hand.

Mikhail certainly didn't expect to see news about the script today, but even if he did, it wouldn't be a big deal.

While in Russia, some of my comrades would frequently call for Mikhail, who wrote such articles, to be hanged, for the Tsar's cavalry to run over him several times, or for him to be taken away by the secret police and severely tortured.
Even the readers are quite something; some of their letters are practically threatening, and of course, they might actually be threatening.
In contrast, their French counterparts possess a uniquely French romance and gentleness, at most resorting to sarcasm and insulting language and metaphors, like this:
"We can be quite certain that this Russian must have contracted the British disease while in his country, and the terrible syphilis had completely damaged his already impoverished mind, to the point that he actually wrote such a script. It is a shameful exhibitionism; he and his script are like male and female dogs engaging in unbridled mating in public."

For the sake of public order and moral well-being, he should be deported.

Although it wasn't very friendly, it seemed okay, since he just wanted to deport me.

Thinking of this, Mikhail couldn't help but take a deep breath. Ah, the air of freedom! It's just a little smelly.
As for the main content of these newspaper articles, to put it simply, they mocked Mikhail's overestimation of his abilities and his attempt to pollute the noble French theater world with a filthy play. They even included several satirical cartoons depicting Mikhail digging and digging in Russian soil, finally finding a broken rock and holding it high above his head.
"Look! This is theater!"

Undoubtedly, these articles will likely attract more attention than before, simply because theater still has a very strong social influence in France during this period, with a high level of public acceptance, and almost every major newspaper has a dedicated theater review column. The premieres of many plays attract critics, writers, and politicians.

When the French Academy, the highest hall of French literature, welcomes new "immortals," poets and playwrights are a plus, while novelists are a minus.

When Mikhail finally finished looking through what he had to say, Etienne couldn't help but ask, "So, Mr. Mikhail, what should we do next? How about we put this play on hold for now and adapt one of your other works?"

Strictly speaking, this is also a possible path, but the adaptation is quite difficult and the returns are probably not as high as one might imagine.

If a play like La Traviata could be staged, the benefits would be immense. First, it would likely become popular in France. Even if that didn't happen, once Mikhail approached Verdi to adapt the play into an opera, it would very likely become a sensation throughout Europe and even a true classic.

Therefore, after thinking for a while, Mikhail smiled and shook his head, saying, "It's alright, just wait for me a little longer, I'll think of something."

What other options are there now?
Do you think you, a foreigner, can influence the French censorship authorities?
Unless there are some major revisions to the script, and you know, some things money can't always buy.
Although that's what he thought in his heart, Etienne definitely nodded outwardly.

After chatting with the theater manager for a while, Mikhail prepared to find someone to find out what was going on.

Negative news like this is not uncommon in Paris, after all, the writers in Paris are not exactly clean, but if news like this continues for several days in a row, then some things will not be hard to see.

After these news stories circulated for a few days, the negative impact was very real. Respectable people in Paris shook their heads in disapproval upon seeing such news.
"What kind of person could come up with the idea of ​​making a prostitute the main character? Just how dissolute is he? Even if he goes to those kinds of places every day, why would he have to write certain things about them?"

"Doesn't he have any shame? How could he write something like this? The newspapers are really good at criticizing him."

"Even if such a play were to be released, I would never go to see it. Fortunately, it hasn't been shown yet."

While some respectable people shook their heads, the Parisians, who had gradually become familiar with Mikhail's presence, were mostly surprised:
"Hey? Isn't that Mr. Mikhail? He's in the newspaper again?"

"What big news has he stirred up this time? I've become more and more interested in him since he came to Paris. He's an undeniable genius! Give him French citizenship! I'd love to see him in the newspapers every day. The news about him always amazes me. I can't believe there's someone like him in the world!"
It's a pity the newspaper never published his address, otherwise I would have definitely gone to visit him in person.

"Yes, I'd love to read more of his articles in the newspapers. But this time, wait a minute? Why are they all critical articles? And when did Mr. Mikhail start writing plays? He should use that time to write more novels!"

"Why do these people in the newspapers have such deep hatred for a play that never got to be staged? It was just an attempt, wasn't it? But I'd rather see the play adaptation of 'Around the World in Eighty Days,' though the adaptation must be very difficult."

"But I'd really like to see what a drama with prostitutes as the main characters is like."

By now, Mikhail does indeed have a loyal following in Paris, and even quite a few admirers, since true geniuses never lack attention.

At the same time, some people have indeed developed a considerable interest in the play out of curiosity or for some other reason.

To some extent, these news stories have generated some hype, but if they can't pass the review process, all this attention will ultimately be useless.

Several days passed, and just as Mikhail had begun to make some inquiries and observations and had gained some clues about the situation, he was somewhat surprised to receive an invitation—an invitation from another prominent figure in Parisian cultural circles, Madame Delphine de Girard. In short, she was a female poet and writer, as well as the host of a well-known Parisian salon. Her salon was famous partly because she herself was highly educated and cultured, and partly because she was adept at socializing, facilitating natural exchanges among various intellectuals and politicians.

On the other hand, her husband was the owner of the newspaper giant The News, so the literary works that appeared in her salon had the opportunity to be published and disseminated quickly.

With these two factors combined, her salon naturally attracted many visitors, including aspiring newcomers and journalists and publishers looking to discover new talent. At the same time, due to the salon's popularity and her own social circle, some nobles and politicians also frequented the salon.

Despite the numerous negative news articles about Mikhail published in the newspaper in the past few days, the letter inviting Mikhail was undoubtedly very polite, and even, in a sense, intended to help him: "Some of the people you meet here may be of some help to you."

Despite feeling a bit uneasy, Mikhail thought about it and then agreed to the invitation.

Or rather, he had similar plans all along, but there were just too many cultural salons in Paris, and they often involved political factions. For example, some people, like Professor Hugo, were on government pay, while others were more inclined to a certain noble family or faction. Of course, there were also people like Balzac who were only interested in making money and marrying rich women.

In conclusion, the situation in Paris is too complicated, so Mikhail's visit has not progressed very quickly.

Perhaps it was precisely because Mikhail's progress was not fast enough that some misunderstandings arose.

This was certainly true, at least for The News and some other newspapers that were directly affected.

After all, on the surface, almost all of Mikhail's serialized novels and articles are published in the "Century" newspaper, and he has not had much contact with other newspapers. Does this mean that he is a staunch supporter of the "Century" newspaper?
If that's the case, when faced with a competitor's author who generates huge profits, should we not criticize him to gain some attention, but actively support him instead?
Ditak, the owner of the newspaper "The Century," naturally didn't remind Mikhail about this matter much, out of self-interest.

It must also be said that news about Mikhail has been very popular with readers in Paris recently, which is why Gabriel subconsciously thought of using this news to make some money.

However, for Mrs. Girard, the newspaper business had always been managed by her husband, and she had not been very involved. The reason for inviting Mikhail was probably more to get to know this young writer who had recently gained a lot of attention, and hopefully to reach some cooperation.

Of course, that's her idea, but there are probably quite a few newspaper owners in Paris who think it's better to give them a hard time first, and then things can be discussed more slowly.

After all, normally speaking, even if a young person in their twenties is exceptionally talented, wouldn't they be panicked and afraid when faced with overwhelming criticism? And in order to protect their career and even gain more, wouldn't they succumb to such a situation?

Such an idea certainly makes sense, but for Mikhail, who came from the Russian literary circle, this scene was still a bit too normal. Without the iron fist or the favorable environment of exile, what was there to be afraid of?
Returning to Madame Girard's salon, once she held her salon at the scheduled time, she quickly became very busy.

As she wrote in her letter, the salon did indeed have some influential figures in attendance. In Paris, it was common for ladies to attend salons, patronize artists, and even flirt with them. Balzac had wanted to make a name for himself in such an event, but unfortunately, he lacked some essential qualities.

After finally settling all the important guests, Madame Girard remembered a guest who was somewhat important but not particularly important. And when she thought of him, Madame Girard suddenly recalled some rumors she had heard.

The most important thing is clothing. Paris has its own fashion and elegance. It's not a big deal to be unconventional in ordinary occasions. There are often artists like that in Paris. However, in more formal and traditional settings, you are likely to be looked down upon or treated perfunctorily.

However, those who are truly influential often value fashion and tradition, because controlling the trend of these things means, in a sense, wielding a certain power—a power that forces others to conform to the center.

Being unconventional in front of them isn't a particularly good choice, especially tonight's person who might be helpful to Mikhail's situation.

Just as Mrs. Girard was feeling a little annoyed that she hadn't mentioned the matter to the other party, a very unfamiliar guest appeared at the door. As soon as he appeared there, he immediately attracted the attention of many people.

However, there was a hint of dissatisfaction in their eyes. After all, how could someone come to such a formal and solemn occasion dressed casually and carrying a cane that looked cheap?
Someone seemed to recognize him and whispered something to the person next to them. After the discussion grew a little louder, more people looked at him, but their gazes were not very friendly. As mentioned earlier, this occasion was more formal and involved more influential traditional people.

Faced with such a display, even the most impetuous young man would likely have to rein himself in a bit. But in Madame Girard's observation, the young man seemed to first glance at a line of inscriptions on his cane, then calmly stepped forward and told her his name:

"I am Mikhail Romanovich Raskolnikov."

Welcome!

When Madame Gilar spoke to Mikhail with a hint of amazement, Turgenev, who had actually been slightly behind Mikhail, couldn't help but wipe a bead of sweat from his brow.

In fact, Turgenev had found out all the details about the salon before Mikhail arrived, and because of this, Turgenev had advised Mikhail to dress in the most fashionable and respectable style in Paris.

After all, there were indeed people at this salon who could influence the French Ministry of the Interior, but the other party was a rather traditional person when it came to fashion. It would definitely be better to suit the other party's tastes, but after considering it for a while, Mikhail still dressed as before.

Turgenev had nothing to say about this; he simply offered his support. However, while previous salons might have been small-scale, he was still somewhat worried about large salons like this one, which included prominent figures from the Parisian political scene.

But now it seems that Mikhail is still the same Mikhail, it's just that being with him is a bit too exciting.
So, what should Mikhail do next?
Turgenev unconsciously glanced at the few noblewomen in the distance who seemed somewhat displeased.

Should I try to please them?
Mikhail doesn't seem like that kind of person.
(End of this chapter)