Contemporary French literature
Encyclopedia
Contemporary French literature is French literature
from the year 2000 to the present day.
) have seen as a new form of detached nihilism
, reminiscent of the 50s and 60s (Beckett
, Cioran
). The best known of these authors is Michel Houellebecq
, whose Atomised was a major international phenomenon. These tendencies have also come under attack. In one of her essays, Nancy Huston criticises Houellebecq for his nihilism; she also makes an acerbic censure of his novels in her work The teachers of despair .
Although the contemporary social and political context can be felt in recent works, overall, French literature written in past decades has been disengaged from explicit political discussion (unlike the authors of the 1930s-1940s or the generation of 1968) and has focused on the intimate and the anecdotal. It has tended to no longer see itself as a means of criticism or world transformation, with some notable exceptions (such as Michel Houellebecq
or Maurice Dantec).
Other contemporary writers during the last decade have consciously used the process of "Autofiction
" (similar to the notion of "faction") to renew the novel (Christine Angot
for example). "Autofiction" is a term invented by Serge Doubrovsky
in 1977. It is a new sort of romanticised autobiography that resembles the writing of the romantics of the nineteenth century. A few other authors may be perceived as vaguely belonging to this group: Alice Ferney, Annie Ernaux
, Olivia Rosenthal, Anne Wiazemsky
, and Vassilis Alexakis. In a related vein, Catherine Millet
's 2002 memoir The Sexual Life of Catherine M.
gained much press for its frank exploration of the author's sexual experiences.
Many of the most lauded works in French over the last decades have been written by individuals from former French colonies or overseas possessions. This Francophone literature
includes the novels of Ahmadou Kourouma
(Côte d'Ivoire
), Tahar ben Jelloun
(Morocco
), Patrick Chamoiseau
(Martinique
), Amin Maalouf
(Lebanon
) and Assia Djebar
(Algeria
).
Other contemporary authors include: Jonathan Littell
, David Foenkinos
, Jean-Michel Espitallier, Christophe Tarkos, Olivier Cadiot
, Chloé Delaume
, Patrick Bouvet, Charles Pennequin, Nathalie Quintane, Frédéric-Yves Jeannet
, Nina Bouraoui
, Hubries le Dieu, Arno Bertina, Edouard Levé
,and Christophe Fiat.
French literature
French literature is, generally speaking, literature written in the French language, particularly by citizens of France; it may also refer to literature written by people living in France who speak traditional languages of France other than French. Literature written in French language, by citizens...
from the year 2000 to the present day.
Overview
The economic, political and social crises of contemporary France˜—exclusion, immigration, unemployment, racism, etc.—and (for some) the notion that France has lost its sense of identity and international prestige—through the rise of American hegemony, the growth of Europe and of global capitalism —have created what some critics (like Nancy HustonNancy Huston
Nancy Louise Huston, OC is a Canadian-born novelist and essayist who writes primarily in French and translates her own works into English.-Biography:...
) have seen as a new form of detached nihilism
Nihilism
Nihilism is the philosophical doctrine suggesting the negation of one or more putatively meaningful aspects of life. Most commonly, nihilism is presented in the form of existential nihilism which argues that life is without objective meaning, purpose, or intrinsic value...
, reminiscent of the 50s and 60s (Beckett
Samuel Beckett
Samuel Barclay Beckett was an Irish avant-garde novelist, playwright, theatre director, and poet. He wrote both in English and French. His work offers a bleak, tragicomic outlook on human nature, often coupled with black comedy and gallows humour.Beckett is widely regarded as among the most...
, Cioran
Emil Cioran
-Early life:Emil M. Cioran was born in Răşinari, Sibiu County, which was part of Austria-Hungary at the time. His father, Emilian Cioran, was a Romanian Orthodox priest, while his mother, Elvira Cioran , was originally from Veneţia de Jos, a commune near Făgăraş.After studying humanities at the...
). The best known of these authors is Michel Houellebecq
Michel Houellebecq
Michel Houellebecq , born Michel Thomas, 26 February 1958—or 1956 —on the French island of Réunion, is a controversial and award-winning French author, filmmaker and poet. To admirers he is a writer in the tradition of literary provocation that reaches back to the Marquis de Sade and Baudelaire;...
, whose Atomised was a major international phenomenon. These tendencies have also come under attack. In one of her essays, Nancy Huston criticises Houellebecq for his nihilism; she also makes an acerbic censure of his novels in her work The teachers of despair .
Although the contemporary social and political context can be felt in recent works, overall, French literature written in past decades has been disengaged from explicit political discussion (unlike the authors of the 1930s-1940s or the generation of 1968) and has focused on the intimate and the anecdotal. It has tended to no longer see itself as a means of criticism or world transformation, with some notable exceptions (such as Michel Houellebecq
Michel Houellebecq
Michel Houellebecq , born Michel Thomas, 26 February 1958—or 1956 —on the French island of Réunion, is a controversial and award-winning French author, filmmaker and poet. To admirers he is a writer in the tradition of literary provocation that reaches back to the Marquis de Sade and Baudelaire;...
or Maurice Dantec).
Other contemporary writers during the last decade have consciously used the process of "Autofiction
Autofiction
Autofiction is a term used in literary criticism to refer to a form of fictionalized autobiography.Serge Doubrovsky coined the term in 1977 with reference to his novel Fils. Autofiction combines two paradoxically contradictory styles: that of autobiography, and fiction...
" (similar to the notion of "faction") to renew the novel (Christine Angot
Christine Angot
Christine Angot is a French writer, novelist and playwright.-Life:Born Pierrette, Marie-Clotilde Schwartz in Châteauroux, Indre, she is perhaps best known for her 1999 novel L'Inceste which recounts an incestuous relationship with her father.It is a subject which appears in several of her...
for example). "Autofiction" is a term invented by Serge Doubrovsky
Serge Doubrovsky
Serge Doubrovsky is a French writer and 1989 Prix Médicis winner for Le Livre brisé. He is also a critical theorist.-Biography:Along with publishing seven volumes of autobiography, he is known as a critical theorist...
in 1977. It is a new sort of romanticised autobiography that resembles the writing of the romantics of the nineteenth century. A few other authors may be perceived as vaguely belonging to this group: Alice Ferney, Annie Ernaux
Annie Ernaux
Annie Ernaux is a French writer.She won the Prix Renaudot in 1984 for her book La Place, an autobiographical narrative focusing on her relationship with her father and her experiences growing up in a small town in France, and her subsequent process of moving into adulthood and away from her...
, Olivia Rosenthal, Anne Wiazemsky
Anne Wiazemsky
Princess Anne Wiazemsky is a French actress and novelist, of the Russian Rurikid family of Princes Vyazemsky-Counts Levashov. Through her mother, she is the granddaughter of François Mauriac. She appeared in Robert Bresson's Au hasard Balthazar and in Godard's films La Chinoise and Week End...
, and Vassilis Alexakis. In a related vein, Catherine Millet
Catherine Millet
Catherine Millet is a French writer, art critic, curator, and founder and editor of the magazine Art Press, which focuses on modern art and contemporary art....
's 2002 memoir The Sexual Life of Catherine M.
The Sexual Life of Catherine M.
The Sexual Life of Catherine M. by the art critic Catherine Millet was published in the author's native French in 2001. An English translation by Adriana Hunter was published in 2002. Sexual Life was the subject of mild controversy on both sides of the Atlantic...
gained much press for its frank exploration of the author's sexual experiences.
Many of the most lauded works in French over the last decades have been written by individuals from former French colonies or overseas possessions. This Francophone literature
Francophone literature
Francophone literature is literature written in the French language. Most often the term is misused to refer only to literature from francophone countries outside France, but this category includes French Literature, or Literature of France, that is literature written by French authors...
includes the novels of Ahmadou Kourouma
Ahmadou Kourouma
Ahmadou Kourouma was an Ivorian novelist.-Life:The eldest son of a distinguished Malinké family, Ahmadou Kourouma was born in 1927 in Côte d'Ivoire. Raised by his uncle, he initially pursued studies in Bamako, Mali...
(Côte d'Ivoire
Côte d'Ivoire
The Republic of Côte d'Ivoire or Ivory Coast is a country in West Africa. It has an area of , and borders the countries Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana; its southern boundary is along the Gulf of Guinea. The country's population was 15,366,672 in 1998 and was estimated to be...
), Tahar ben Jelloun
Tahar Ben Jelloun
Tahar Ben Jelloun is a Moroccan poet and writer. The entirety of his work is written in French, although his first language is Arabic.-Life:...
(Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
), Patrick Chamoiseau
Patrick Chamoiseau
Patrick Chamoiseau is a French author from Martinique known for his work in the créolité movement.-Biography:Chamoiseau was born on December 3, 1953 in Fort-de-France, Martinique, where he currently resides. After he studied law in Paris he returned to Martinique inspired by Édouard Glissant to...
(Martinique
Martinique
Martinique is an island in the eastern Caribbean Sea, with a land area of . Like Guadeloupe, it is an overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department. To the northwest lies Dominica, to the south St Lucia, and to the southeast Barbados...
), Amin Maalouf
Amin Maalouf
Amin Maalouf , born 25 February 1949 in Beirut, is a Lebanese-born French author. Although his native language is Arabic, he writes in French, and his works have been translated into many languages. He received the Prix Goncourt in 1993 for his novel The Rock of Tanios...
(Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
) and Assia Djebar
Assia Djebar
Assia Djebar is the pen-name of Fatima-Zohra Imalayen , an Algerian novelist, translator and filmmaker. Most of her works deal with obstacles faced by women, and she is noted for her feminist stance. Djebar is considered to be one of North Africa's pre-eminent and most influential writers...
(Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
).
Other contemporary authors include: Jonathan Littell
Jonathan Littell
Jonathan Littell is a bilingual writer living in Barcelona. He grew up in France and United States and is a dual citizen of both countries. After acquiring his bachelor degree he worked for a humanitarian organisation for nine years, leaving his job in 2001 in order to concentrate on writing...
, David Foenkinos
David Foenkinos
David Foenkinos is a French author and screenwriter.He studied literature and music in Paris.His novel La délicatesse is a bestseller in France. A film based on the book will be released in December 2011.-Selected Works:...
, Jean-Michel Espitallier, Christophe Tarkos, Olivier Cadiot
Olivier Cadiot
- Biography :Cadiot's first book of poems, L'Art poetic, in which he used the cut-up technique, was published in 1988. In 1993, Cadiot published Futur, ancient, fugitive, and in 1997 he published Le Colonel des zouaves. In these books he proposed novels as poems...
, Chloé Delaume
Chloé Delaume
Chloé Delaume is a French award-winning novelist, performer, musician, and occasional singer.-Biography:Born Nathalie Dalain in Paris, 1973, Chloé Delaume spent her childhood in Beirut. In 1983 a tragic episode both changed the course of her life and marked her body of work: at ten years old, she...
, Patrick Bouvet, Charles Pennequin, Nathalie Quintane, Frédéric-Yves Jeannet
Frédéric-Yves Jeannet
Frédéric-Yves Jeannet is a writer and professor of French origin who emigrated to Mexico in his youth. He was born in Grenoble, France, in 1959 and left it in 1975. Jeannet earned B.A. and M.A. degrees in comparative literature at the University of Grenoble. He then lived in London until 1977,...
, Nina Bouraoui
Nina Bouraoui
Nina Bouraoui is a French writer born in Rennes, Ille-et-Vilaine, of an Algerian father and a French mother. She spent the first fourteen years of her life in Algiers, then Zürich and Abu Dhabi...
, Hubries le Dieu, Arno Bertina, Edouard Levé
Edouard Levé
Édouard Levé was a French writer, artist, and photographer.- Early career :Levé was self-taught as an artist and studied business at the elite École supérieure des sciences économiques et commerciales. He began painting in 1991...
,and Christophe Fiat.