Jean-Philippe Toussaint facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jean-Philippe Toussaint
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Jean-Philippe Toussaint in 2013
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| Born | 29 November 1957 Brussels, Belgium |
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| Nationality | Belgian |
| Alma mater | Sciences Po (1978) |
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Jean-Philippe Toussaint (born November 29, 1957) is a famous Belgian writer, photographer, and movie director. He is known for his unique and often funny writing style. His books have been translated into more than 20 languages for people to read all over the world.
Besides writing, Toussaint is also a talented photographer. His photos have been shown in art galleries in places like Brussels and Japan. He has won many awards for his work, including the Prix Médicis in 2005 for his novel Fuir (Running Away).
Contents
Early Life and Education
Jean-Philippe Toussaint was born in Brussels, Belgium. His father, Yvon Toussaint, was a well-known journalist, and his mother, Monique, was a bookseller. Growing up, he was surrounded by books and culture. When he was a teenager, his family moved to Paris, France.
He was a very good student. He graduated from a top university in Paris called Sciences Po in 1979. He also earned a master's degree in history from the Sorbonne. After finishing his studies, he spent two years teaching French in Algeria. This experience helped him decide to become a full-time writer.
Toussaint now lives in Brussels and Corsica with his wife, Madeleine, and their two children.
A Career in Writing and Film
Toussaint became famous with his first published novel, La Salle de bain (The Bathroom), in 1985. The book was a big hit with critics, who loved its quirky and original style. This success helped him become a well-known author.
He continued to write popular books like Monsieur and L'Appareil-photo (The Camera). His success as a writer allowed him to explore another passion: making movies. He directed his first film, Monsieur, in 1990.
In 1997, he wrote the novel La Télévision (Television), which won the Prix Victor-Rossel, a major award in Belgium. The book is known for being very clever and funny.
The "Cycle of Marie"
Between 2002 and 2013, Toussaint wrote his most famous work, a series of four books known as the "Cycle of Marie." This series tells the story of a couple, Marie and the narrator, as they go through a long and complicated breakup. The four books in the series are:
- Faire l'amour (Making ...)
- Fuir (Running Away)
- La Vérité sur Marie (The Truth about Marie)
- Nue (...)
These books were very successful and won several important awards, like the Prix Médicis and the Prix Décembre.
Writing About Soccer
Toussaint is also a big soccer fan. He wrote a short book called La Mélancolie de Zidane (Zidane's Melancholy). It is about the famous moment in the 2006 FIFA World Cup Final when French player Zinedine Zidane headbutted Italian player Marco Materazzi. Toussaint was actually at the game in Berlin and wrote about what he saw and felt.
Other Creative Work
Toussaint is not just a writer but also a visual artist. He uses his skills in photography and filmmaking to create art exhibitions.
His first major photo exhibition was in Osaka, Japan, in 2001. Since then, he has created larger exhibitions that mix photos, films, and even books. In 2012, he was invited to create a special exhibition at the famous Louvre Museum in Paris. The show, called "Livre/Louvre" (Book/Louvre), featured his art alongside historical items, like a manuscript by the writer Samuel Beckett.
Major Works
Here are some of Jean-Philippe Toussaint's most important books. Many have been translated into English.
- La Salle de bain (1985) - The Bathroom
- Monsieur (1986)
- L'Appareil-photo (1989) - Camera
- La Télévision (1997) - Television
- The "Cycle of Marie" series (2002-2013)
- Football (2015)
Films
Toussaint has also been involved in the world of cinema as a writer and director.
- Monsieur (1990) - Director and screenwriter
- La Sévillane (1992) - Director and screenwriter
- La Patinoire (The Ice Rink) (1999) - Director and screenwriter
See also
In Spanish: Jean-Philippe Toussaint para niños
