Angel Rinaldi, Académie Française Member, Dies
- Angelo Rinaldi, a writer and literary critic, died Wednesday in Paris, the French academy announced.
- Rinaldi, a Corsican native elected to the French Academy in 2001, authored numerous novels and received the Femina Prize in 1971 for "The Atlantean house."
- In a press release, the French Academy stated, "The perpetual secretary and the members of the French Academy are saddened to announce the passing of their colleague Angelo...
French Academy Announces Death of Writer Angelo Rinaldi at 84
Table of Contents
- French Academy Announces Death of Writer Angelo Rinaldi at 84
- Angelo Rinaldi: A Life in Literature – Q&A
- Who was Angelo Rinaldi?
- What is Angelo Rinaldi known for?
- What awards did Angelo Rinaldi receive?
- What were some of Angelo Rinaldi’s notable works?
- What was Angelo Rinaldi’s early life like?
- When did Angelo Rinaldi begin his journalism career and where?
- Where did Angelo Rinaldi work as a journalist before moving to Paris?
- What was Angelo Rinaldi’s relationship with corsica?
- Who were some of Angelo Rinaldi’s literary influences and acquaintances?
- What publications did Angelo Rinaldi write for?
- What style of literary criticism did Angelo Rinaldi employ?
- How did Angelo Rinaldi view his role as a literary critic?
- What is known about the reissuing of Angelo Rinaldi’s chronicles?
- Summary of Angelo Rinaldi’s Key Achievements
Angelo Rinaldi, a writer and literary critic, died Wednesday in Paris, the French academy announced. He was 84.
Rinaldi, a Corsican native elected to the French Academy in 2001, authored numerous novels and received the Femina Prize in 1971 for “The Atlantean house.”
In a press release, the French Academy stated, “The perpetual secretary and the members of the French Academy are saddened to announce the passing of their colleague Angelo Rinaldi.”
Early Life and Career
Born June 17, 1940, in bastia, Corsica, Rinaldi was the son of a communist resistance fighter who died shortly after World War II. Rinaldi told *Le monde* in August 2024 that he was not allowed to attend his father’s funeral and “for years, I thought my father was going to come back.”
Rinaldi began his journalism career at age 13, writing for a local newspaper in Bastia, where his mother owned a bar. He then worked for 10 years as a reporter and judicial columnist at *Nice-Matin* before moving to Paris in the late 1960s.
Literary Criticism and Works
A protégé of Maurice Nadeau, Rinaldi befriended Françoise giroud and Jean-françois Revel. He became a columnist and literary critic for several weekly publications, including *L’Express*, *Le Point*, and *Le Nouvel Observateur*, before taking on responsibilities at *Literary Figaro* until his retirement in 2005.
Rinaldi’s career as an author began in 1969 with ”Governor’s Lodge,” which won the Fénéon Prize. His second novel, “The atlantean House,” brought him wider recognition. Other works include “Les Dames de France” (1977), “The Last Feast of the Empire” (1980), “Pliny Roses” (1987, Jean Freustié Prize), “Latest Night News” (1997), and “Torrent” (2016).
Corsica, a place he had a complex relationship with and rarely visited after the age of 20, remained a presence in his writing. He never forgot the Corsican language.
Demanding Style
As a literary critic, rinaldi was known for his exacting standards regarding style, leading to harsh assessments of established writers such as Milan Kundera, Marguerite Duras, and Patrick Modiano. He considered himself to be “in the category of criticisms that give an impressionist and subjective turn to a fundamental opinion which does not vary, namely the defense of style and temperament.”
in a 2024 interview with *The Revue des Deux Mondes*, Rinaldi said, “I always wrote what I thought. I’m not saying I’ve always been right. You have to choose between your job or your career. if you write what will enchant the publisher or the author, you have a career, but you do not make your profession of literary criticism.”
A collection of 58 of his chronicles, titled “Roses and Epines,” was reissued in March by Moments Editions.
Angelo Rinaldi: A Life in Literature – Q&A
Who was Angelo Rinaldi?
Angelo Rinaldi was a celebrated French writer and literary critic. He passed away on Wednesday in Paris at the age of 84, as announced by the French Academy.
What is Angelo Rinaldi known for?
Rinaldi was known for:
His writing: He authored numerous novels.
Literary criticism: He was a well-respected literary critic who wrote for publications like L’Express, Le Point, and Le Nouvel Observateur. He was known for his demanding standards.
His membership in the French Academy: He was elected to the prestigious institution in 2001.
What awards did Angelo Rinaldi receive?
Rinaldi received the Femina Prize in 1971 for his novel “The Atlantean House.” He also won the Fénéon Prize for “Governor’s Lodge” in 1969, and the Jean Freustié Prize for “pliny Roses” in 1987.
What were some of Angelo Rinaldi’s notable works?
Some of Rinaldi’s prominent works include:
”Governor’s Lodge” (1969)
“The Atlantean House”
“Les Dames de France” (1977)
“The Last Feast of the Empire” (1980)
“Pliny Roses” (1987)
“Latest Night News” (1997)
“Torrent” (2016)
What was Angelo Rinaldi’s early life like?
Born in Bastia, Corsica, on June 17, 1940, Rinaldi’s early life was marked by the loss of his father, a communist resistance fighter who died shortly after World War II. He started his journalism career at the age of 13, writing for a local newspaper in Bastia.
When did Angelo Rinaldi begin his journalism career and where?
Rinaldi began his journalism career at age 13, writing for a local newspaper in Bastia, Corsica, where his mother owned a bar.
Where did Angelo Rinaldi work as a journalist before moving to Paris?
Before moving to Paris in the late 1960s, Rinaldi worked for 10 years as a reporter and judicial columnist at Nice-Matin.
What was Angelo Rinaldi’s relationship with corsica?
Rinaldi, a native of Corsica rarely visited the island after the age of 20, maintaining a complex relationship with his birthplace. However, Corsica and the Corsican language remained a presence in his writing.
Who were some of Angelo Rinaldi’s literary influences and acquaintances?
Rinaldi was a protégé of Maurice Nadeau and befriended Françoise Giroud and Jean-François Revel.
What publications did Angelo Rinaldi write for?
Rinaldi contributed to several publications, including:
L’Express
Le Point
Le Nouvel Observateur
Literary Figaro
What style of literary criticism did Angelo Rinaldi employ?
Rinaldi was known for his exacting standards in literary criticism, frequently enough delivering harsh assessments of established writers. He described himself as someone who gave an “impressionist and subjective turn to a fundamental opinion which does not vary, namely the defense of style and temperament.”
How did Angelo Rinaldi view his role as a literary critic?
In a 2024 interview, Rinaldi stated, “I always wrote what I thought. I’m not saying I’ve always been right. You have to choose between your job or your career. If you write what will enchant the publisher or the author, you have a career, but you do not make your profession of literary criticism.” He prioritized intellectual honesty over career advancement.
What is known about the reissuing of Angelo Rinaldi’s chronicles?
A collection of 58 of Rinaldi’s chronicles, titled “Roses and Epines,” was reissued in March by Moments Editions.
Summary of Angelo Rinaldi’s Key Achievements
| Category | Details |
| ——————— | ————————————————————————— |
| Born | June 17, 1940, Bastia, Corsica |
| Died | In Paris at age 84 |
| Notable Awards | Femina Prize (1971), Fénéon Prize (1969), Jean Freustié Prize (1987) |
| French Academy | Elected in 2001 |
| Key Works | The Atlantean House, Les Dames de France, Pliny Roses, Torrent |
| Literary Style | Demanding standards; focused on style and temperament in criticism |
| Journalism Career | Began at 13; worked for Nice-Matin; contributed to several publications |