Roland Barthes's Unpublished Texts Spark Posthumous Publication Controversy
Two previously unpublished texts by Roland Barthes have been released: his travel notes from a 1974 trip to Mao's China (published by Bourgois) and his mourning journal written after his mother's death (published by Seuil). François Wahl, Barthes's former editor at Seuil, has denounced the publications as a betrayal, arguing Barthes refused their release and that they violate his private life. Éric Marty, editor of Barthes's complete works at Seuil, counters that Wahl himself published Barthes's intimate text "Soirées de Paris" in 1987. Legally, the publication is authorized by Barthes's half-brother and executor Michel Salzedo. The editorial argues that all written work should be publishable, with authors accepting the risk of posthumous disclosure.
Key facts
- Two unpublished texts by Roland Barthes have been published: his 1974 China travel notes (Bourgois) and his mourning journal after his mother's death (Seuil).
- François Wahl, Barthes's former editor, calls the publications a betrayal, claiming Barthes refused their release.
- Éric Marty, editor of Barthes's complete works at Seuil, notes Wahl himself published Barthes's intimate text 'Soirées de Paris' in 1987.
- Barthes's half-brother and executor Michel Salzedo authorized the publications.
- The editorial argues that all written work should be publishable, with authors accepting the risk of posthumous disclosure.
- The China trip included companions Philippe Sollers, Julia Kristeva, Marcelin Pleynet, and François Wahl.
- Wahl previously sued Bernard-Henri Lévy for publishing excerpts of a Barthes course.
- The editorial is written by Jacques Henric.
Entities
Artists
- Roland Barthes
- Philippe Sollers
- Julia Kristeva
- Marcelin Pleynet
- François Wahl
- Éric Marty
- Fabrice Hadjadj
- Bernard-Henri Lévy
- Michel Salzedo
- Jacques Henric
Institutions
- Bourgois
- Seuil
- La Règle du jeu
Locations
- China
- Paris
Sources
- artpress —