A collection of letters written by Céline to Joseph Garcin, a friend and fellow doctor, between 1929 and 1938. They cover the years in which Céline finished his first novel, became famous, and moved toward the controversial writings of the late 1930s. The letters give a close, informal view of his daily concerns, his work as a doctor and his developing ideas about writing. Readers interested in how the author's voice and character took shape will find them useful, though they are mainly of value to those already familiar with his books.