Ivan Alekseyevich Bunin (1870-1953)
'I love life very much!'. 1948
Two autograph documents signed ('Ivan Bounine', in the first adding 'de l'Académie Russe'), responses to questionnaires, n.p., 7 September 1927 and 17 September 1948.

In French. Two leaves, 296 x 196mm and 154 x 210mm.

'I love life very much!': Bunin's intended last words. Responses to two 'questionnaires': the first 'Enquête' poses the question, 'After your home country, which nation do you prefer?', and Bunin responds 'France'; a second question asks his reasons: his response, 'All of them – and everyone knows them' has been cancelled, apparently in his own hand. The second, entitled 'Enquête mondiale' and 'Le mot de la fin' ('The last word') asks 'if you had to end your life with one word, what would be your last word?': Bunin responds (ignoring the parameters somewhat) with the ringing sentiment 'I love life very much!'.

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