Michel Jeury, French author (b. 1934)

Michel Jeury (23 January 1934 – 9 January 2015) was a highly influential French science fiction writer, particularly renowned during the 1970s for his innovative and complex narratives. He also published works under the distinct pseudonym of Albert Higon.

Jeury's significant reputation in the 1970s stemmed from his pivotal contributions to the burgeoning French New Wave of science fiction. This movement challenged traditional genre conventions, and Jeury became celebrated for his intricate explorations of time travel, parallel universes, and the subjective nature of reality. His most iconic work from this period, Le Temps incertain, published in 1973, is a seminal novel that delves into fragmented identities and temporal paradoxes. This work earned him the prestigious Grand Prix de l'Imaginaire in 1974, solidifying his status as a master of sophisticated, psychologically profound science fiction.

Beyond his acclaimed science fiction oeuvre, Jeury utilized the pseudonym Albert Higon primarily for his fantasy works. This distinction allowed him to explore different literary avenues and storytelling styles, including the well-known trilogy La Saga de Laïa, which showcased a different facet of his imaginative talent and versatility as an author.

Michel Jeury's enduring legacy continues to resonate within French speculative fiction. He is remembered for pushing the boundaries of the genre, influencing subsequent generations of authors with his unique blend of philosophical depth, rigorous narrative construction, and complex thematic explorations of consciousness and time.

Frequently Asked Questions about Michel Jeury

• Who was Michel Jeury?

  Michel Jeury (1934-2015) was a prominent French science fiction writer, particularly influential in the 1970s, known for his complex narratives exploring themes of time, reality, and consciousness.

• What was Michel Jeury famous for?

  He was most famous for his contributions to the French New Wave of science fiction, notably his novel Le Temps incertain (1973), which won the Grand Prix de l'Imaginaire in 1974 and is considered a classic of time travel literature.

• Did Michel Jeury use a pseudonym?

  Yes, Michel Jeury used the pseudonym Albert Higon, under which he published several fantasy novels, distinguishing them from his science fiction works.

• What themes did Michel Jeury explore in his writing?

  Jeury's works frequently explored intricate themes such as time travel, parallel universes, memory, fragmented identities, and the subjective perception of reality, often characterized by deep psychological insight.