Pascal Quignard

From Free net encyclopedia

Pascal Quignard (born April 23, 1948) is a French writer who was born in Verneuil-sur-Avre. In 2002 his novel Les Ombres errantes won the prestigious Prix Goncourt. Terrasse à Rome (Terrasse in Rome), had received the French Academy prize in 2000, and Carus had been awarded the "Prix des Critiques" in 1980.

One of Quignard's most famous works is the eighty-four "Little Treatises", first published in 1991 by Maeght. His most popular book is probably Tous les matins du monde (All the Mornings in the World), about 17th century viola de gamba player Marin Marais and his teacher, Sainte-Colombe, which was adapted for the screen in 1991, by director Alain Corneau. Quignard wrote the screenplay of the film, in collaboration with Corneau. Tous les matins du monde, starring Jean-Pierre Marielle, Gérard Depardieu and son Guillaume, was a tremendous success in France and sold 2 million tickets in the first year, and was subsequently distributed in 31 countries. The soundtrack was certified platinum (500,000 copies) and made musician Jordi Savall an international star. The film was released in 1992 in the US.

Quignard also translated (often little known) works from the Latin (Albucius, Porcius Latro), Chinese (Kong-souen Long), and Greek (Lycophron).

Five of his novels are available in English: Albucius (The Lapis Press), The Salon in Württemberg (Grove Weidenfeld), and All the World's Mornings (Graywolf Press). Sarx and On Wooden Tablets: Apronenia Avitia (Burning Deck).

[edit]