Yves Navarre
Encyclopedia
Yves Navarre was a French
writer
. A gay
man, most of his work concerned homosexuality
and associated issues, such as AIDS
. In his romantic works, Navarre was noted for his tendency to emphasize sensuality and "the mystical qualities of love" rather than sexuality or sensationalism. He was awarded the 1980 Prix Goncourt
for his novel Le Jardin d'acclimation.
at the University of Lille
, earning degrees in 1961 and 1964. The following year, he studied at the Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales du Nord. He then worked for an ad agency as a creative writer.
He began submitting works to publishers in 1958, although it was not until 1971 that his first novel, Lady Black, was published. This was followed in 1973 by Les Loukoums, which tells the story of a malady afflicting a group of New York
ers. A string of novels followed, often — as in Le Petit Galopin de nos corps, 1977 and Portrait de Julien devant la fenêtre, 1979 — about love affairs between two male characters. He also wrote works of drama, such as Il pleut : si on tuait papa-maman, La Guerre des piscines, and Les Dernières Clientes.
For Le Jardin d'acclimation, the story of a young well-born man imprisoned and lobotomized
for his homosexuality, Navarre was awarded the Prix Goncourt
in 1980. He became François Mitterrand
's main advocate in the gay community during the 1981
and 1988
elections, although as a novelist and not a politician, he felt misunderstood and ineffective in the role.
In 1984, Navarre suffered a stroke
. He did not publish any more works until 1986.
Between 1990 and 1993 he lived in Montreal
, Quebec
. His 1992 novel Ce sont amis que vent emporte tells the story of a sculptor, Roch, in a relationship with a dancer, David. The novel recounts their struggle against AIDS
. After his return to France, he developed depression
and committed suicide with barbiturates on January 24, 1994.
See also the official site, in French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
. A gay
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
man, most of his work concerned homosexuality
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
and associated issues, such as AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
. In his romantic works, Navarre was noted for his tendency to emphasize sensuality and "the mystical qualities of love" rather than sexuality or sensationalism. He was awarded the 1980 Prix Goncourt
Prix Goncourt
The Prix Goncourt is a prize in French literature, given by the académie Goncourt to the author of "the best and most imaginative prose work of the year"...
for his novel Le Jardin d'acclimation.
Biography
Born in Condom, he studied Spanish, English, and French literatureFrench 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...
at the University of Lille
Université Lille Nord de France
The University of Lille -Nord de France , located in Lille, France, is a center for higher education, academic research and doctoral studies located over multiple campuses in the Academie de Lille....
, earning degrees in 1961 and 1964. The following year, he studied at the Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales du Nord. He then worked for an ad agency as a creative writer.
He began submitting works to publishers in 1958, although it was not until 1971 that his first novel, Lady Black, was published. This was followed in 1973 by Les Loukoums, which tells the story of a malady afflicting a group of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
ers. A string of novels followed, often — as in Le Petit Galopin de nos corps, 1977 and Portrait de Julien devant la fenêtre, 1979 — about love affairs between two male characters. He also wrote works of drama, such as Il pleut : si on tuait papa-maman, La Guerre des piscines, and Les Dernières Clientes.
For Le Jardin d'acclimation, the story of a young well-born man imprisoned and lobotomized
Lobotomy
Lobotomy "; τομή – tomē: "cut/slice") is a neurosurgical procedure, a form of psychosurgery, also known as a leukotomy or leucotomy . It consists of cutting the connections to and from the prefrontal cortex, the anterior part of the frontal lobes of the brain...
for his homosexuality, Navarre was awarded the Prix Goncourt
Prix Goncourt
The Prix Goncourt is a prize in French literature, given by the académie Goncourt to the author of "the best and most imaginative prose work of the year"...
in 1980. He became François Mitterrand
François Mitterrand
François Maurice Adrien Marie Mitterrand was the 21st President of the French Republic and ex officio Co-Prince of Andorra, serving from 1981 until 1995. He is the longest-serving President of France and, as leader of the Socialist Party, the only figure from the left so far elected President...
's main advocate in the gay community during the 1981
French presidential election, 1981
The French presidential election of 1981 took place on 10 May 1981, giving the presidency of France to François Mitterrand, the first Socialist president of the Fifth Republic....
and 1988
French presidential election, 1988
Presidential elections were held in France on 24 April and 8 May 1988.In 1981, the Socialist Party leader, François Mitterrand, was elected President of France and the Left won the legislative election. However, in 1986, the Right regained a parliamentary majority. President Mitterrand was forced...
elections, although as a novelist and not a politician, he felt misunderstood and ineffective in the role.
In 1984, Navarre suffered a stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
. He did not publish any more works until 1986.
Between 1990 and 1993 he lived in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
. His 1992 novel Ce sont amis que vent emporte tells the story of a sculptor, Roch, in a relationship with a dancer, David. The novel recounts their struggle against AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
. After his return to France, he developed depression
Clinical depression
Major depressive disorder is a mental disorder characterized by an all-encompassing low mood accompanied by low self-esteem, and by loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities...
and committed suicide with barbiturates on January 24, 1994.
Novels
- Lady Black, FlammarionGroupe FlammarionGroupe Flammarion is the fourth largest publishing group in France, comprising many units, including its namesake, founded in 1876 by Ernest Flammarion, as well as units in distribution, sales, printing and bookshops . Flammarion became part of the Italian media conglomerate RCS MediaGroup in 2000...
, 1971. - Evolène, Flammarion, 1972.
- Les Loukoums, Flammarion, 1973.
- Le Cœur qui cogne, Flammarion, 1974.
- Killer : roman, Flammarion, 1975.
- Plum Parade : vingt-quatre heures de la vie d'un mini-cirque, Flammarion, 1975.
- Niagarak, Grasset, 1976.
- Le Petit Galopin de nos corps, (published in 1977 by Robert Laffont), recently republished with a preface by Serge Hefez in the collection "Classiques H&O poche", Béziers : H&O, 2005. 10,8 x 17,8cm. 256 pages. ISBN 2-84547-109-2
- Kurwenal ou la Part des êtres, Robert Laffont, 1977.
- Je vis où je m'attache, Robert Laffont, 1978.
- Le Temps voulu, Flammarion, 1979.
- Portrait de Julien devant sa fenêtre, Robert Laffont, 1979 ; H&O, 2006.
- Le Jardin d'acclimatation, Flammarion, 1980.
- Romances sans paroles, Flammarion, 1982.
- Premières Pages, Flammarion, 1983.
- L'Espérance de beaux voyages, 1 : Eté-automne, Flammarion, 1984.
- Phénix, le paysage regarde, illustrated by Jean Dieuzaide and Lucien Clergue, P. Montel, 1984.
- Louise, Flammarion, 1985.
- Fête des mères, Albin Michel, 1987.
- Romans, un roman, Albin Michel, 1988
- Hôtel Styx, Albin Michel, 1989.
- Douce France, Québec, Leméac, 1990.
- La Terrasse des audiences au moment de l'adieu, Montréal, Leméac, 1990.
- Ce sont amis que vent emporte, Flammarion, 1991.
- La Vie dans l'âme, carnets , Montréal, Le Jour / VLB, 1992.
- Poudre d'or, Flammarion, 1993.
- Dernier dimanche avant la fin du siècle, Flammarion, 1994.
- La Ville Atlantique, Leméac, 1996.
- Dialogue de sourdes, Nice, La Traverse, 1999.
- La Dame du fond de la cour, Montréal, Leméac, 2000.
- Avant que tout me devienne insupportable, H&O, 2006.
Autobiography
- Biographie, Flammarion, 1981.
- Une vie de chat, Albin Michel, 1986.
- Un condamné à vivre s'est échappé, textes, entretiens et poèmes, with Pierre Salducci, Hull [Québec], Vents d'Ouest, 1997.
External links
- Lire commentary on "laissés pour compte"
See also the official site, in French