J.M.G. Le Clezio
2008 Nobel Laureate for Literature
March 30th, Lee Hall Auditorium, Time TBA

2008 Nobel Laureate in Literature
Jean-Marie Gustave (J.M.G.) Le Clezio
With Dr. Keith Moser, Department of Foreign Languages

Jean-Marie Gustave (J.M.G.) Le Clezio is one of the most prolific and respected contemporary French-speaking authors. He published his first novel entitled Le Proces-Verbal (The Interrogation), for which he received the coveted Prix Renaudot, in 1963. In 1980, this veritable Franco-Mauritian writing machine accepted the Prix Morand from the Academie Francaise for his novel Desert. Le Clezio's selection as the Nobel Prize for Literature recipient in 2008 represents the culmination of an illustrious literary career that already spans five decades. Although Le Clezio's literary repertoire is extremely diverse, recurring themes include exile, mortality, the confrontation between modern civilization and traditional societies, sexual and economic exploitation, racism, and discrimination.

Dr. Keith Moser is an Assistant Professor in the Foreign Language Department at Mississippi State University. His first book entitled "Privileged Moments" in the Novels and Short Stories of J.M.G. Le Clezio: His Contemporary Development of a Traditional French Literary Device was published by The Edwin Mellen Press in 2008. He has presented at both regional and international conferences since his arrival at Mississippi State in 2007. For instance, he presented at the Conseil International d'Etudes Francophones (CIEF) conference in Limoges, France in 2007. His extremely varied research interests include contemporary French literature, Twentieth-century French literature, Shoah studies, aestheticrepresentations of historical events, Francophone literature, and the French Nouveau Roman.

On a more personal level, Keith says, "I had the immense honor of meeting the latest Nobel Prize laureate in Montreal on October 15, 2008. The author presented twice that week as part of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie and Le Sommet de la Francophonie. In addition to being a gifted prose writer, Le Clezio is also a tremendous orator. After his first presentation, he fielded questions from the audience. I asked him a question about one of his novels entitled Etoile Errante (Wandering Star). He graciously answered my question in a detailed fashion. After the first session, Le Clezio signed my book and accepted my letter including an open invitation for a campus visit. This face-to-face encounter reinforced the author’s reputation as a talented artist who is modest and easily approachable."