CÉLINE, Louis-Ferdinand (1894–1961).

Letter from exile to his lawyer. Céline begins by commenting on ‘two bits of rubbish addressed to me’ (press cuttings) [the first accused Céline of having denounced the singer Lil Boël as Jewish and of having had her show shut down]: “Needless to say, I don’t know this Lil Boël from Adam or Eve – this is the first time, through this filth, that her existence has been revealed to me. Any ham in need of publicity can pull this stunt! Just think: Céline the Persecuted, the martyr! It’s a catchphrase that sells and costs nothing. How can I put an end to this vile malice, which could go on indefinitely... A lawsuit? The other clipping also informs me that I signed a manifesto [against the British bombing of the Paris region]... That’s news to me! All of this is false, utterly false! I have never signed a thing. But am I responsible for everything they can make me say and sign? Just in case! I’m sending these scoundrels a rebuttal – they deserve ten thousand kicks up the backside!”… Letters to her lawyer..., no. 19.