About
Boris Vian (1920-1959) was a French writer, poet, songwriter, singer, music critic, trumpeter and artistic director. A graduate of the École Centrale Paris, he briefly worked as an engineer before dedicating himself to literature and jazz. In 1946, he published his first novel, I Spit on Your Graves, under the pseudonym Vernon Sullivan, which became a bestseller but was condemned for obscenity in 1950. His novel Froth on the Daydream (1947) is now a classic. A jazz enthusiast, he performed at the Tabou club and wrote songs like The Deserter (1954). A member of the College of 'Pataphysics, his work gained recognition after his death.
* 1920-03-10 — † 1959-06-23
Major works
- J'irai cracher sur vos tombes (1946)novel
- L'Écume des jours (1947)novel
- L'Automne à Pékin (1947)novel
- L'Arrache-cœur (1953)novel
- Le Déserteur (1954)song
Key milestones
- 1946Publication of I Spit on Your Graves under the pseudonym Vernon Sullivan.
- 1950Conviction of I Spit on Your Graves for obscenity.
- 1959Death of Boris Vian in Paris at the age of 39.
Themes
absurditylovedeathjazzsocial satire
Sources: britannica.com · larousse.fr · id.loc.gov