CURVAL, Philippe

   Pseudonym used by journalist Philippe Tronche (1929-), French writer. PC has since the 1950s been associated with the growth of sf in France as bookseller, magazine editor, photographer, chronicler and author. He is a fine stylist whose work is exemplified by a sensual, poetic mood and great affection for his characters. He has written over 20 stories, the first appearing in 1955. Cette Chere Humanite (1976; trans Steve Cox as Brave Old World 1981 UK), which won the 1977 Prix Apollo (AWARDS), conflates the personal extension of lifespans with the artificial isolation of a future EEC. Le ressac de l'espace ("The Breakers of Space") (1962) won the Prix Jules Verne in 1963 and L'homme a rebours ("Backwards Man") (1974) was selected as Best French SF Novel of 1974.

   MJ/JC

   Other works: Les fleurs de Venus ("Flowers of Venus") (1960); La fortresse de coton ("The Cotton Fortress") (1967); Les sables de Falun ("The Sands of Falun") (1970); Attention les yeux("Watch Out!") (1972);Un souvenir de Pierre Loti"In Remembrance of Pierre Loti"(1975); Un soupcon de neant ("A Hint of Nothingness") (1977)La Face cachee du desir ("The Dark Side of Desire") (1978); Y a quelqu'un? ("Anybody Home?") (1979); Le dormeur s'eveillera-t-il? ("Will the Sleeper Awake?") (1979); Rut aux etoiles ("The Astral Mating Season") (1979); Regarde, fiston, s'il y a un extra- terrestre derriere la bouteille de vin ("Take a Look, Boy, If There's an Alien Behind the Wine Bottle") (coll 1980); Le Livre d'or de la science fiction: Philippe Curval ("The Golden Book of Science Fiction: Philippe Curval") (coll 1980); L'Odeur de la bete ("The Scent of the Beast") (1981); Tous vers l'exstase ("All Together to Ecstasy") (1981); En souvenir du futur ("Remembrance of Time to Come") (1982); Ah! Que c'est beau New York! ("Ah! New York is so Beautiful!") (1982); Debout les morts, le train fantome entre la gare ("On your Feet, Dead Men, the Phantom Train is Pulling in") (coll 1984); Comment jouer a L'Homme invisible en Trois Lecons ("How to Play The Invisible Man in Three Lessons") (1986); Akiloe(1988); Habite-t-on reellement quelque part? ("Do we Really Live Somewhere?") (coll 1990).

   See also: FRANCE.