Le CLEZIO, J(ean)-M(arie) G(ustave)

(1940-)

   Mauritius-born French writer, known primarily for his work outside the sf field; he took his degree in literature at Nice University. He is a major contemporary author in the ABSURDIST tradition, his workoften bordering on sf and the surreal through a minute examination of physical phenomena and aspects of reality. His hallucinatory scrutiny of manifestations of madness in the world at large is best demonstrated in Les geants (1973; trans Simon Watson-Taylor as The Giants 1975 US), set inHyperbolis, a nightmare shopping complex in a futuristic city.

   MJ

   Other works include: Le proces-verbal (1963; trans Daphne Woodward as The Interrogation 1964 US); La fievre (coll 1964; trans Daphne Woodward asFever 1966 US); Le deluge (1965; trans Peter Green as The Flood 1967 US); Terra Amata (1967; trans Barbara Bray 1969 US); Le livre des fuites (1969; trans Simon Watson-Taylor as The Book of Flights 1972 US); La guerre (1970; trans Simon Watson-Taylor as War 1973 US); Voyages de l'autre cote("Journeys on the Other Side") (1975).

   See also: MEDIA LANDSCAPE.