French author, director, and screenwriter behind the acclaimed novel "A Very Long Engagement" and director of the film "The Woman in Red", known for his unique blend of mystery and romance.
Sébastien Japrisot, the pseudonym of Jean-Baptiste Rossi, was a French author, screenwriter, and film director renowned for his unconventional approach to the crime genre. His unique writing style, which blended structuralist theories with the unorthodox techniques of the New Novelists, has captivated readers and critics alike.
Japrisot was born on July 4, 1931, in Paris to an Italian immigrant family. His father abandoned them when Japrisot was just six years old, leaving his mother to support him. Despite these challenging circumstances, Japrisot's mother encouraged his love for writing, which led him to study philosophy at the Sorbonne.
Japrisot's debut novel, Les Malpartis, was published in 1950 by Robert Laffont. The book's controversial subject matter, which revolved around a 14-year-old boy's passionate love affair with a 26-year-old nun in a Jesuit school, generated significant buzz in the literary world. The novel's success led to its translation into English, where it sold an impressive 800,000 copies in the United States.
Japrisot's writing style was heavily influenced by structuralist theories and the New Novelists. His works often defied traditional crime genre conventions, blending elements of mystery, thriller, and literary fiction. This unique approach has drawn comparisons to authors like Alain Robbe-Grillet and Michel Butor.
Japrisot's writing has been adapted into numerous films, including The Sleeping Car Murders (1965), The Lady in the Car with Glasses and a Gun (1970), and A Very Long Engagement (2004). He collaborated with acclaimed directors like Costa-Gavras and Jean-Pierre Jeunet, further solidifying his reputation as a master of the crime genre.
Despite being little known in the English-speaking world, Japrisot's influence on crime fiction is undeniable. His unconventional approach has inspired authors like Dennis Lehane and Gillian Flynn, who have credited him as an inspiration. Japrisot's work continues to captivate readers and filmmakers alike, cementing his place as a pioneering figure in the world of crime fiction.
"I don't think of myself as a crime writer. I think of myself as a novelist who writes about crime."
— Sébastien Japrisot
Japrisot was awarded the Grand Prix de la Littérature Policière in 1978 for his novel The Lady in the Car with Glasses and a Gun. He also received the Prix Goncourt des Lycéens in 1991 for A Very Long Engagement.
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