my endeavor has been to tell a simple story, preserving as closely as possible the spirit and feeling of the original. i have tried, as it were, to take the play to pieces, and build a novel out of the same material. i have not felt at liberty to embellish m. brieux’s ideas, and i have used his dialogue word for word wherever possible. unless i have mis-read the author, his sole purpose in writing les avaries was to place a number of most important facts before the minds of the public, and to drive them home by means of intense emotion. if i have been able to assist him, this bit of literary carpentering will be worth while. i have to thank m. brieux for his kind permission to make the attempt, and for the cordial spirit which he has manifested.

upton sinclair