Censored chapter of Daniel Bougnoux's book on Aragon published online

The Centre national du livre hosted an evening on Louis Aragon on October 22, 2012, during which Daniel Bougnoux revealed that his book 'Aragon, la confusion des genres' (Gallimard, collection 'L'un et l'autre') had been censored. Jean Ristat, Aragon's literary executor, demanded and obtained the removal of a chapter from the essay. Bougnoux argues that while Ristat has the right to intervene regarding publication of Aragon's texts, he oversteps by suppressing a chapter of a book about Aragon. The full text of the censored chapter, titled 'Pour ne pas oublier Castille,' is published here ahead of an article by Jacques Henric on Louis Aragon in art press n°395 (December 2012). The chapter recounts a personal encounter with 'Castille' (a pseudonym for Aragon) in Toulon in July 1973, describing Aragon's theatrical behavior, cross-dressing, and sexual advances. It also discusses Aragon's relationship with his secretary Raoul, his public denial of authorship of 'Irène,' and his final years.