Jean-Philippe Toussaint

Jean-Philippe Toussaint is a Belgian creator. He excels in novel writing, photography, and filmmaking. Toussaint won numerous literary prizes, including the Prix Médicis for Running Away and the Prix Décembre for The Truth about Marie.

Jean-Philippe Toussaint was born in Brussels. He excels in novel writing, photography, and filmmaking. His father, Yvon, is a journalist, and his mother, Monique, is a Lithuanian bookseller. He was raised primarily in Paris but settled in Brussels and Corsica with his wife, Madeleine, and two children.

Toussaint's academic path led him from Brussels to Paris. He attended high school in Paris and then pursued higher education at the prestigious Institut d'études politiques de Paris. He also holds a Master of Arts in contemporary history from the Sorbonne. He taught French in Algeria, which led him to focus on literature.

His literary journey began with unpublished works but found its stride with "La Salle de Bain" in 1985. This debut novel was a critical success, paving the way for further notable works like "Monsieur" and "L'Appareil-photo." Toussaint's writing, often linked to the Nouveau Roman movement, is recognized for its Beckettian influences.

Jean-Philippe Toussaint has also been a filmmaker, directing films such as "Monsieur" and "La Sévillane." His Berlin residency led to the creation of "La Télévision," a witty and critically acclaimed novel. His major literary undertaking, the "Cycle of Marie", is a four-part series exploring a couple's complex relationship over time. It includes works such as "Faire l'amour" and "Fuir," the latter winning the Prix Médicis.

Toussaint's "La Mélancolie de Zidane" reflects his diverse interests, merging football with literary expression. Among his contemporaries like Jean Echenoz and Marie NDiaye, he contributed to literature in the "Style [des éditions de] Minuit".

Beyond books, his artistic flair extends to photography, with exhibitions in Japan and France.

Jean-Philippe Toussaint divides his time between Brussels and Corsica.

Photo credit: jptoussaint.com