Laurent Binet

Laurent Binet

Laurent Binet was born on July 19th, 1972 and is currently 53 years old. Laurent Binet was born in Paris, France. Binet attended the University of Paris where he received a Literature degree.

Laurent Binet is a French writer and university lecturer known for his insightful commentary on modern French politics. Born in Paris to a historian, Binet graduated from the University of Paris with a degree in Literature. Before his writing career, he spent four years playing guitar and singing in a rock band called Stalingrad. He currently teaches French in a suburb of Paris and at the University of Saint-Denis.

Binet's first novel, HHhH, won the 2010 Prix Goncourt du Premier Roman and tells the story of the 1942 assassination of Nazi leader Reinhard Heydrich. In 2012, he published Rien ne se passe comme prévu (Nothing Goes as Planned), which covers François Hollande’s successful presidential campaign. His 2015 work, The Seventh Function of Language, is a detective thriller inspired by the mysterious death of Roland Barthes.

In 2019, Binet released Civilizations, an alternate history novel in which Atahualpa conquers Europe. This book won the Grand Prix du roman de l'Académie française, was translated into English, and later received the Sidewise Award for Alternate History in 2022.

HHhH is a powerful historical novel that blends fact and fiction. The title stands for "Himmlers Hirn heist Heydrich," meaning "Himmler’s brain is called Heydrich." It recounts the true story of Reinhard Heydrich, one of the most feared leaders in Hitler's regime, and the daring mission that led to his assassination by two exiled fighters, Jozef Gabcík and Jan Kubiš. The narrative follows the operatives from their training in Britain to their parachute drop into Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia, capturing their courageous attack on Heydrich and their tragic last stand in a Prague church.

Critics have praised HHhH for its gripping and unique style. James Wood from The New Yorker described it as "captivating" and "different from most historical fiction," while Alan Riding from The New York Times Book Review referred to it as a "literary tour de force" that brings history to life. Binet's storytelling combines historical accuracy with deep reflection on memory and truth. Bret Easton Ellis, author of American Psycho, called it "one of the best historical novels" he has read. The novel redefines the genre of historical fiction, offering both thrills and intellectual depth.

HHhH has been adapted into a major motion picture titled The Man with the Iron Heart, which is available on streaming platforms and home video.

Binet's novel The Seventh Function of Language is set in 1980 Paris, where renowned literary critic Roland Barthes dies after being struck by a laundry van following a lunch with presidential candidate François Mitterrand. Initially deemed a tragic accident, the story questions whether Barthes was, in fact, murdered.

In this clever detective story, tough police officer Jacques Bayard is tasked with solving Barthes' death. The complexity of the case, which involves intricate linguistic theories, leads Bayard to team up with Simon Herzog, a young linguistics researcher. Their investigation uncovers a dangerous secret—the "seventh function of language." This fictional concept, inspired by real linguistic theories, suggests a hidden power of language that can manipulate people's actions. Barthes was killed because he understood this power, prompting others to eliminate him.

As Bayard and Herzog delve into the world of semiotics, they analyze signs, symbols, and clues, navigating through a maze of famous intellectuals such as Foucault, Derrida, and Mitterrand.

Laurent Binet: Awards & Accolades

Laurent Binet books have been nominated for multiple awards, HHhH was nominated for the British Book Awards, International Author of the Year, in 2012 as well as the Waterstones - Book of the Year in 2012.

Related Authors

Fans of Laurent Binet also enjoy these authors:

1. Stephen King, author of The Dark Tower Series.
2. James Patterson, author of the Alex Cross Series.
3. Andy Weir, author of: Project Hail Mary.
4. Neil Gaiman, author of the American Gods Series.
5. Amor Towles, author of: A Gentleman in Moscow.

Laurent Binet: F.A.Q