Aragon's Letters to Breton Reveal Intense Friendship and Political Rupture

Gallimard has released a new collection of letters from Louis Aragon to André Breton, chronicling their relationship and ideological rift from 1918 to 1931. Edited by Lionel Follet, this edition rectifies Aragon's description of their 1917 encounter. Composed during World War I, the letters illustrate Aragon's emotional reliance on Breton alongside his increasing autonomy. They delve into literary discussions and their political disagreements, which peaked at the 1930 Kharkov congress, ultimately resulting in Aragon's alignment with Stalinism and his split from Trotskyist Breton in 1932. While the edition includes thorough annotations, Breton's letters remain unavailable due to legal issues. The correspondence also showcases Aragon's bravery, wit, and changing attitude toward Breton, possibly influenced by his wife, Elsa Triolet.