Michel Butor (1926 - 2016)

Michel Butor

Michel Butor was a French writer and poet, associated with the Nouveau Roman literary movement of the 1950s and 1960s. He was known for his experimental writing style, which often challenged traditional narrative structures and explored the relationship between language, identity, and memory.

Butor studied philosophy and literature at the Sorbonne in Paris. In 1954, he published his first novel, "Passage de Milan," which established his reputation as a leading figure of the Nouveau Roman movement.

Throughout his career, Butor wrote more than twenty novels, as well as essays, poetry, and other works. His writing often incorporated elements of travelogue and autobiography, and he frequently collaborated with visual artists on projects that combined text and image.

In addition to his literary work, Butor was a respected teacher and critic, and he lectured at universities around the world. He was awarded numerous honors and awards for his contributions to French literature, including the Prix Renaudot in 1957.

His legacy as an innovative and influential writer continues to be celebrated by literary scholars and readers around the world.