EMMANUEL CARRERE is known for the way he bends and breaks genres. His essays and books pick through the minds of murderers, con-men, Russian revolutionaries, artists, power-brokers, addicts and the downtrodden; even his own friends, family and lovers. He started as a novelist in his 20s and 30s, and now, at 61, is the most celebrated writer of high-end nonfic-tion in France. What distinguishes his prose is not its lyricism—as John Lambert's translation conveys, it is simple and spare—but his intrusive, philosophical first-person voice. Mr Carrere is a character in his narratives and portraits, always there reminding you that it's him, Emmanuel, writing the words that you are reading.
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