Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 435 So said Mr. Rothschild!

The next morning, in New York.

Newsboys' shrill cries echoed through the streets and alleys of Manhattan as they waved newspapers, and the front page of every store was dominated by the same story.

The New York Herald's headline was bold and sensational: "The King of Literature Arrives in New York!"

The Perel brought not only nine renowned French writers, but also the Old World's solemn recognition of American culture!

Émile Zola declared from the steps of City Hall: "New York has shocked us!"

This is not a routine compliment, but a literary master's sincere praise for New York's vitality and ambition!

The New York Tribune's headline was equally brimming with pride: "Paris's glory now belongs to New York!"

History will remember this day!
For the first time, France's greatest contemporary writers have visited a country as a group!
Émile Zola, Lionel Sorel, Alphonse Daudet, Edmond Goncourt… this is contemporary French literature!
This in itself demonstrates that the United States has not only achieved remarkable success in economics and industry, but has also attracted the most discerning eyes of the Old World in terms of culture.

Mr. Zola is right, we possess "a vitality quite different from that of those ancient European cities."

The arrival of these French literary giants was not an act of charity, but a gesture of respect!

The more mainstream *New York Sun* went even further, writing: "The French literary giants have arrived!"

Forget those clichés about Americans only knowing steel and money! Look at the crowds at the docks yesterday! Listen to the enthusiastic applause in front of City Hall!
France, the nation with the most artistic taste in the world, has brought their treasures—the literary masters—to our doorstep!

Mr. Zola praised our city for its “ambition,” which resonated deeply with every New Yorker!
What does this mean? It means that we're not just building the tallest buildings and the longest bridges; we're creating a lifestyle that will amaze even Paris!

Almost all the newspapers devoted special pages to describing in detail the grand welcoming ceremony, quoting Zola's speech, and accompanied by woodcut illustrations of the writers posing for a group photo on the steps of the city hall.

The serious Zola, the aged Goncourt, the gentle Daudet, the radiant Maupassant, and the serene Lionel…

This constitutes the most direct impression that New Yorkers have of "French literature".

A collective joy and pride of "we have been recognized" permeated the air of the city.

Another topic also occupied prominent positions in various newspapers and quickly became a new topic of conversation among New York socialites and literature lovers—

Eight stories told by Lionel Sorel aboard the Perel.

The New York Herald, in its culture section, proclaimed with an exaggerated headline: "Eight Wonders Born at Sea!"

According to a report from our special correspondent, during the several-day voyage, Mr. Lionel Sorel, in order to dispel the loneliness of the journey, spontaneously composed and told eight stories related to the sea and sailing in the salon of the "Perel"!
The breadth of the subject matter and the ingenuity of the conception are truly remarkable.

Including a pianist who never set foot on land in his entire life, "80 Years," a giant ship named "Titan," and a pirate wandering the Caribbean Sea...

This is far from simple entertainment; it's a spark of inspiration bestowed upon a true genius by the muse as she crossed the ocean!

The New York Sun directly quoted a passenger from the Perel:
Mr. Sorel is a monster! His stories just keep coming, one after another, you just can't stop!

Especially that pirate Jack Sparrow, God, I bet all American readers will fall in love with this guy! He's got us all mesmerized!

Can you imagine? Before even reaching New York, we'd already enjoyed a literary feast at sea!

These reports spread like wildfire.

American media asserted that it was the anticipation of the New World and the longing for a trip to America that inspired this young writer!
Lionel was hailed by the media as a "narrative genius".

Public anticipation for the upcoming speech has reached its peak!

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In the restaurant of the Fifth Avenue Hotel, Lionel and his companions were having breakfast while flipping through the newspapers brought to them by the waiter.

Maupassant pointed to the article about himself in The Sun and said to Lionel with a smug look, "Look, Lionel!"

No matter how rich Americans are, what they still need is our French…

Before he could finish speaking, Lionel stuffed a piece of bread into his mouth, choking him so much that he couldn't speak.

Lionel put away the newspaper, and seeing that the hotel waiter wasn't around, he gave Maupassant a "fierce" warning:
“Guy, have you forgotten what I said before we left? We can be as reserved, arrogant, and picky as we like; that’s a symbol of taste and style.”

But don't belittle America itself, and don't say stupid things like American culture needs French approval, unless you want us to go back to France early!

Maupassant made "woo-woo-woo" sounds and nodded repeatedly.

He struggled a bit to pull the bread out of his mouth, panting as he said, "Sorry, I got a little carried away..."

Seeing this, Zola reminded the others, "Everyone, we must be careful what we say along the way, as our waiters all speak French!"
Americans also have their own dignity; there are some things they can only say in their own newspapers, things we cannot say.

The others quickly nodded to indicate that they understood.

After breakfast, it was already 10 a.m.

As arranged beforehand, the writers were divided into three groups and went to different institutions to give lectures, officially beginning their "literary evangelism" journey.

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Émile Zola, Edmond Goncourt, and Alphonse Daudet were heading to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Zola delivered a lecture there entitled "Naturalism: From Science to Fiction." He drew parallels between literary creation and scientific observation and experimentation, emphasizing the decisive role of environment and heredity in individual destiny, and showcasing the grand theoretical system of "naturalism."

A middle-aged man who looked like a scholar asked: "Mr. Zola, from Romanticism to Naturalism, French literature always finds new paths."

Do you believe that American literature can only find its own unique path by breaking free from the traditions of British literature?

After a moment of contemplation, Zola replied: "Tradition is the soil, but crops must adapt to the local climate, and every nation needs to write its own unique reality."

The reality of America is your cities, your West, your immigrants, your industries…

They contain immense power, even more so than many of you can imagine.

Explore your own reality, and your own voice will naturally emerge; it doesn't need to deliberately escape anyone, because it is unique in itself!

Zola's answer greatly inspired many writers present who longed to establish a native American literature!

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Meanwhile, the atmosphere at New York University was much more lively.

Here, Maupassant will give a lecture on "Social Life in Modern Paris: Class, Gender, and the City in Novels".

His dashing appearance and humorous conversation are inherently very attractive.

His descriptions of Parisian social circles, the vanity of the lower classes, and the emotional games between men and women were incredibly alluring to these American students.

A bold female student stood up and asked, "Mr. Maupassant, are Parisian women really as bold and pleasure-seeking as described in French novels?"

A burst of good-natured laughter and whispers rippled through the audience.

A smug glint flashed in Maupassant's eyes. He shrugged and replied in an ambiguous tone, "My dear lady, Paris is far bolder than any novel has ever described."

The female student who asked the question sat down, blushing, and looked at Maupassant with eyes full of admiration.

This answer elicited loud laughter and applause from the audience, bringing the atmosphere to a climax.

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Lionel, along with Huysman and Céal, went to Columbia University.

Columbia University's campus, with its classical colonial style, appears somewhat cramped compared to the surrounding rapidly growing cities.

The lecture hall was packed, filled not only with students but also with many New York intellectuals who had come after hearing about the event.

Lionel's speech was titled "A Decade of French Realism: From Flaubert to the Contemporary Era".

He traced the evolution of the realist trend in French literature since Flaubert's Madame Bovary.

He also shared his own creative experience, explaining how to view and write about "truth".

He delivered the entire speech in French, explaining complex concepts in a simple and easy-to-understand way, which captivated the entire audience.

During the Q&A session, a young man wearing glasses stood up and said, "Mr. Sorel, your novels often depict desire and sin very directly."

Do you think a novelist has a responsibility to avoid depicting these depraved and dark aspects of life, so as not to have a negative impact on readers?

The room fell silent, and everyone looked at Lionel, worried that this slightly provocative question might affect his opinion of the university.

Lionel showed no displeasure; he even gave a slight smile.

Then he replied in a calm tone: "Facts themselves are never corrupt; only lies are corrupt."

"Facts themselves are never corrupt; only lies are corrupt."

Someone in the audience repeated the sentence in a low voice, a thoughtful look in their eyes.

This concise answer won the approval of most of the audience, and the audience burst into enthusiastic applause.

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The first round of public speeches was a great success. That evening, several major New York evening newspapers reported on the event.

In particular, Lionel's quote, "Facts themselves never degenerate, only lies do," and Maupassant's "Paris is bolder than any novel," further ignited the curiosity and enthusiasm of New Yorkers for these French writers.

That evening, each of the nine had an appointment, and for the first time, they split up to make their own plans.

Lionel, as agreed, went to the Morgan family's mansion in Manhattan.

This is a magnificent brown sandstone building, with a heavy and imposing style. The interior decoration is also extremely luxurious, with each room displaying art treasures from all over the world.

The very first sentence spoken by John Pierpont Morgan, the helmsman of this financial family, stunned Lionel:
"Mr. Rothschild insisted that I meet with you..."

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(End of this chapter)