French Novelist Janine Boissard Dies at 93

In a tribute posted to social media, the publishing house reflected on her extensive professional journey: Durant près de soixante-dix ans de carrière littéraire, Janine Boissard a construit une œuvre exceptionnelle, riche de plus de cinquante livres, et a rassemblé des millions de lecteurs sur plusieurs générations. Beyond her writing, Fayard highlighted the personal qualities of the late author, noting son extrême gentillesse et son sens de l’humour vif et malicieux.

A Prolific Literary Career

Boissard was widely regarded as a monstre sacré de la littérature dite ‘populaire’, a descriptor she reportedly embraced with great pride. Her most iconic contribution to French literature, the six-volume saga L’Esprit de famille, was published between 1977 and 1984. The publisher described this work as an œuvre emblématique that evolved over the decades into a véritable phénomène littéraire.

Adaptations and Creative Legacy

The reach of Boissard’s storytelling extended well beyond the printed page. Throughout her life, she authored numerous scripts for both television and cinema. Several of her novels were successfully adapted for the screen, bringing her narratives to a broader audience. Key titles that received screen adaptations include:

• L’Esprit de famille
• Recherche grand-mère désespérément
• La maison des enfants

Fayard, which served as the primary publisher for the majority of her novels, remains a central figure in preserving the legacy of her expansive body of work.