About
Jean Genet, born in Paris in 1910, is a major French writer of the 20th century. Abandoned by his mother, he spent his childhood in state care and at the Mettray reformatory, an experience that shaped his work. Imprisoned for theft, he wrote his first novels in prison, including Our Lady of the Flowers. Discovered by Jean Cocteau, he became a figure of the Parisian literary scene. His plays, such as The Maids and The Balcony, place him among the masters of the Theatre of the Absurd. Politically engaged, he supported the Black Panthers and the Palestinian cause. He died in Paris in 1986.
* 1910-12-19 — † 1986-04-14
Major works
- Notre-Dame des Fleurs (1943)novel
- Les Bonnes (1947)play
- Journal du voleur (1949)autobiography
- Le Balcon (1956)play
- Un captif amoureux (1986)narrative
Key milestones
- 1942Began writing his first novel, Our Lady of the Flowers, at Fresnes prison.
- 1948Thanks to a petition by intellectuals, including Sartre and Cocteau, he received a presidential pardon after his tenth conviction for theft.
- 1983Received the Grand Prix des Lettres Françaises.
Themes
marginalitytransgressionidentitypowerpolitical engagement
Sources: britannica.com · data.bnf.fr · nyrb.com