Roger Grenier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Roger Grenier
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Roger Grenier in 2014
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| Born | 19 September 1919 Caen, France |
| Died | 8 November 2017 (aged 98) Paris, France |
| Occupation | Writer, novelist |
| Language | French |
| Nationality | French |
| Years active | 1940–2015 |
| Notable works | The Difficulty of Being a Dog |
| Notable awards | Prix Femina Prix Albert Camus Prix de l'Académie Française Prix Novembre |
| Spouse | Marguerite (195?–197?) Nicole (1979–2017, his death) |
| Children | 2 sons |
Roger Grenier (born September 19, 1919 – died November 8, 2017) was a French writer, journalist, and radio host. He was also a special member of the Collège de ’Pataphysique, a group that studies imaginary solutions.
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Roger Grenier's Life Story
Roger Grenier grew up in a town called Pau. When he was older, during World War II, he studied at the Sorbonne university in Paris. He was also part of the French Resistance, a secret group that fought against the occupation of France.
In 1944, he helped free Paris from occupation. In his book Paris ma grand'ville, he wrote about a dangerous time when he was briefly arrested by the soldiers occupying Paris. He managed to escape when his captors started arguing.
His Career as a Journalist and Writer
After Paris was freed, Roger Grenier started working with the famous writer Albert Camus at a newspaper called Combat. Later, he wrote for another newspaper, France Soir. As a journalist, he covered important trials after the war, which inspired his first essay in 1949, Le Rôle d'accusé.
In 1964, he stopped being a full-time journalist. He joined the publishing company Gallimard, which is a very important book publisher in France. He worked there until he passed away.
Roger Grenier was a true "man of letters," meaning he was involved in many parts of the writing world. He hosted radio shows and wrote for TV and movies. Many young writers asked him for advice and sent him their books to read.
He knew many famous writers, both French and from other countries. These included Albert Camus (whose works Grenier helped edit after Camus died in 1960), William Faulkner, and Yukio Mishimo.
Awards and Famous Works
Roger Grenier's own books received many important awards in France. He won the Grand prix de l'Académie française in 1985 for all his work. He wrote more than thirty books, including novels like Le Palais d'hiver (1965) and Ciné-roman (which won the Prix Femina in 1972). He also wrote essays about writers like Chekhov and F. Scott Fitzgerald, and his own memoirs.
In the United States, he is best known for his book The Difficulty of Being a Dog, which was originally called Les larmes d'Ulysse. He continued writing and attending conferences until he died. He often spoke about his books, literature, Gallimard, and his friends like Albert Camus and Brassaï.
Some of Roger Grenier's Books
Here are some of the books Roger Grenier wrote:
- 2011 Le palais des livres, translated as Palace of Books (2014)
- 2010 Dans le secret d'une photo, translated as A Box of Photographs (2013)
- 2008 Tchékhov - Récit d'un inconnu et autres nouvelles (a collection with a preface by Grenier)
- 2007 Instantanés (memories)
- 2005 Andrélie, traits et portraits
- 2003 Une nouvelle pour vous (novels)
- 2001 Fidèle au poste
- 2000 Le Veilleur (novel)
- 1998 Les Larmes d'Ulysse, translated as The Difficulty of Being a Dog (2000)
- 1997 Quelqu'un de ce temps-là (novels)
- 1994 Trois heures du matin Scott Fitzgerald (essay)
- 1993 La Marche turque (novels)
- 1992 Regardez la neige qui tombe. Impressions de Tchekhov (essay), which won the Prix Novembre
- 1991 Partita (novel)
- 1987 Albert Camus, soleil et ombre : une biographie intellectuelle (essay), which won the Prix Albert Camus
- 1987 Brassaï (essay)
- 1986 Le Pierrot noir (novel)
- 1985 Il te faudra quitter Florence (novel)
- 1982 La Fiancée de Fragonard (novels)
- 1980 La Follia (novel)
- 1979 Un air de famille (tale)
- 1977 La Salle de rédaction (novels)
- 1975 Le Miroir des eaux (won the Prix de la nouvelle de l'Académie française)
- 1972 Ciné-roman (novel), which won the Prix Femina
- 1972 Une maison place des fêtes (novels)
- 1971 Avant une guerre (novel)
- 1965 Le Palais d'hiver (novel)
- 1961 Le Silence (novels)
- 1960 La Voie romaine (novel)
- 1958 Les Embuscades (novel)
- 1953 Limelight. Les Feux de la rampe (novel based on Charles Chaplin's story)
- 1953 Les Monstres (novel)
- 1949 Le Rôle d'accusé (essay)
