Dear Friends of Diogenes, These Are Not Good Times
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April 2020 Dear friends of Diogenes, These are not good times, perhaps they are important, but not good. At least we share this fate. That doesn’t make it better, but it does make these times what they are. Over the past few weeks, I have often been asked whether a lot of people aren’t reading at the moment. And all I thought was: Who would lie down on a couch and read a book when every- thing is uncertain? What I’ve noticed is that people talk to each other more and tell each other stories. And we at Diogenes have noticed, more than ever, how important it is for people to recommend things to each other, how there is no replacement for personal dialogue, regardless in which field. Many of the great minds at Diogenes, several of whom are rather critical, have written about events like this one, and about what harm people can do — but also what they can accomplish. We will soon be celebrating the centenary of the birth of two of them, Friedrich Dürrenmatt and Patricia Highsmith, igniting a firework of findings from their literary estates. Dürrenmatt’s Subject Matter, an autobiography in short stories and essays, is an editorial sensation, while the mistress of suspense, Patricia Highsmith, will be surprising readers with unpublished stories, and next autumn with her diaries, awaited by her readers around the world. I would like to thank Anna von Planta for taking on this challenge and responsibility. In Non Stop, Tomi Ungerer drew his vision of a state of emergency shortly before his death. Like rarely before, we can speculate about a lot and hold differing opinions on everything, but we at Diogenes are in agreement to carry on as good as we can. If only because our authors are telling me writing has never been easier for them. Do forgive me if I seize the spirit of this moment and, while not saying anything new again, ask you to encourage your friends to stock up on books. I’m glad my sons Elliot and Ruben, who have just turned two and one, have no idea what on earth is happening out there. And I’m thinking of a friend who consoled me in another difficult moment with the words of Blaise Pascal: All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly alone in a room. We wish you and your family happiness and health. I am confident that these times, with all the obstacles, will bring us some good. With kind regards, Philipp Keel diogenes verlag ag sprecherstrasse 8 8032 zurich switzerland tel. + 41 44 254 85 11.