{"id":3725,"date":"2023-02-21T16:29:05","date_gmt":"2023-02-21T15:29:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marclevy.com\/the-author\/"},"modified":"2025-02-18T15:19:47","modified_gmt":"2025-02-18T14:19:47","slug":"the-author","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.marclevy.com\/en\/the-author\/","title":{"rendered":"The author"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Marc Levy\u2019s literary career is without equal in France.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0Over the past 25 years, he has authored 26 novels across a wide range of genres, captivating millions of readers both at home and around the world.<\/span><\/p>\n

Through his storytelling, Levy has moved hearts young and old, guiding us through the currents of time and history\u2014from World War II to the war in Ukraine; from New York to Istanbul, Paris, London, and even to the far reaches of the Atacama and Ethiopian deserts. He has led us along the paths of resistance, shed light on the plight of kidnapped Ukrainian children, and spoken out against book censorship. With each novel, he continues to attract new readers, thanks to his talent, his constant reinvention, his sharp insight, and the passion that drives both his writing and his life.<\/span><\/p>\n

To date, Marc Levy\u2019s books have been translated into 50 languages, with over 50 million copies sold worldwide\u2014making him the most-read French author in the world. While his literary success is firmly rooted in Europe, his voice resonates across continents\u2014from the United States to Russia, China, and Vietnam. (During the 2020 lockdown, Amazon reported that the two most-read French authors in the U.S. were Albert Camus and Marc Levy.)<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to his novels, Levy has directed a short film for Amnesty International, and several of his books have been adapted for film and television. The adaptation<\/a> of his debut novel,\u00a0If Only It Were True<\/i><\/a>\u2014produced by DreamWorks and starring Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo\u2014topped the U.S. box office upon its release. He has also written songs for artists like Johnny Hallyday, collaborated on children\u2019s books with illustrator Fred Bernard, and co-created an original graphic novel series.<\/span><\/p>\n

Above all, Marc Levy is a man of conviction\u2014both in his work and in his life. The son of a World War II resistance fighter, he joined the Red Cross at the age of 18, serving for six years\u2014an experience that echoes throughout his writing. His commitment to humanitarian causes runs deep: he has long supported numerous charities and currently serves as an Ambassador for the French Red Cross.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Interview<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhere did your passion for writing come from?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

I was quite a shy and reserved child. Writing allows you to express in words the ideas that you feel unable to say aloud. My father was an art-book publisher and a great reader, and he passed on his love of reading, of great works and writers, to me. The idea of writing for myself only began to take form much later on, but it quickly became obvious it was my passion.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDid you expect to be so successful when you started writing?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

I’ve never thought about success, I never think about it as such. I was writing for my son, and I could never have imagined that my first novel would be destined for such success. Even today, I still find it hard to believe what happened with If Only It Were True<\/i><\/a>. But there’s no miracle recipe, that would be too easy! I work a lot, without any certainty, because writing is a craft. What I try to do is to infuse my books, and the characters who make up my stories, with the values that have been passed on to me. Values that are shared by many people, but that we don’t always come across in everyday life.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tYou've sold over 50 million books worldwide. How do you view this success?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

I consider myself very lucky, touched and honored to be read in so many countries, and I thank my readers for their generosity and loyalty, but I remain lucid about the fact that nothing can ever be taken for granted. With each new book, I challenge myself. Believe me, I never know in advance, before each book is published, whether it will find its audience.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHas your success changed your life?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

I’ll be honest, it’s dizzying and magical at the same time, it gives you the strength to stop counting the days and nights spent writing and rewriting over and over again; it’s also the greatest joy that can befall a novelist. But the real pressure you face isn\u2019t about the number of readers, it’s about the standards you set for yourself, from book to book. This appetite for progress, common to all those who love their profession, whatever it may be, this desire to push one’s own limits.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHas the way your family and friends look at you changed at all?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Since I became a novelist, my friends never give me any credit when I tell them I’m working.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tYou publish one book per year. How do you manage to write and find new ideas that quickly?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Actually, there aren\u2019t many jobs where you spend your time on a single task for an entire year. I am a craftsman, I love my job, and I love to work. I am passionate about my job, which is fun and exciting. Each new novel is an opportunity for me to discover a new world and new characters who I\u2019ll always think of as friends.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhere do you get your ideas for your novels?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

My ideas come from everyday life. I like to watch and listen to what’s going on around me. But the idea for a story is not the same as the story itself. I carry the characters around with me for a long time, whilst their personalities develop and the plot takes shape. When I’ve finished my research, when I can answer the question ‘What is this story really trying to say?’, that’s when I’m ready. Then I have my little ritual: I begin by looking for the cover, then I organize my office, keeping only the essentials. Finally, I get settled. I have several lucky objects, particularly a little photograph of my grandmother, Lili, who watches over me. And then I begin to write.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIs there an element of your real life in your novels?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Sometimes yes, but never directly. I’m far too modest to talk about myself. Though, to be perfectly honest, after more than twenty novels, you start to let go a little.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDo you write for one audience in particular?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

No, I don\u2019t write for a specific audience — I wouldn\u2019t even know how to define who that would be. I know that for my first few novels, the readership was mainly women, but then it grew more diverse, especially with London Mon Amour<\/em><\/a> and Children of Freedom<\/em><\/a>. I am lucky to have a readership of all ages, cultures, and nationalities.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow many books have you published?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

To this day, 26 novels. My latest novel, The Bookshop of Forbidden Books<\/em>, was published in France on November 19, 2024.
If Only It Were True<\/em> was published in January 2000, Finding You<\/em> in November 2001, Seven Days for an Eternity<\/em>\u00a0in 2003, In Another Life<\/em> in 2004, If Only It Were True 2<\/em>\u00a0in June 2005, London Mon Amour<\/em> in July 2006,\u00a0Children of Freedom<\/em> in May 2007,\u00a0All Those Things We Never Said<\/em>\u00a0in 2008, The First Day<\/em> in June 2009, The First Night<\/em>\u00a0in December 2009, The Shadow Thief<\/em>\u00a0in June 2010, The Strange Journey of Alice Pendelbury <\/i>in April 2011, Replay<\/em>\u00a0in March 2012, Stronger Than Fear<\/em> in February 2013, Another Idea of Happiness\u00a0<\/em>in April 2014, PS from Paris <\/em>in February 2015, Hope<\/em> in February 2016, The Last of the Stanfields<\/em> in April 2017, Ghost in Love <\/i>in May 2019, It Happened At Night <\/em>in\u00a0September 2020, Twilight of the Beasts <\/em>in March 2021, Noa<\/em> in May 2022, When Life Lights Up<\/i> in November 2022, and The Symphony of the Monsters<\/em> in October 2024.<\/p>

I have also published several short stories, books for young people (the Little Shadow Thief<\/em>\u00a0series) and comic strips. Seven Days for an Eternity<\/em> was adapted as a comic strip by Corbeyran and Esp\u00e9. The first part was released on August 18, 2010, the second part on March 23, 2011. Children of Freedom<\/em> has also been adapted as a comic strip by Alain Grand. The comic was published on September 25, 2013. In 2021 I co-wrote Prisoners of the Past<\/em> with Sylvain Ruberg, illustrated by Esp\u00e9.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat languages have your books been translated into?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

My novels have been translated into 50 languages. Publication dates vary because of the necessary delays of the translations. In general, a novel published in France comes out a year later abroad, sometimes later because the foreign editors don’t necessarily publish my novels in chronological order.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow do you feel when you have a new book coming out?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

I get butterflies and I\u2019m always full of doubts \u2013 is the book really finished, have I missed anything or written a part badly, why publish it?<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat is the nicest compliment you could ever receive about your writing?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

That a single sentence could touch a reader, or even better, that readers remember characters from my novels\u2026 I always miss them when I\u2019m finished writing.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDo you have a favourite literary genre?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

I like a variety of literary genres. I read an eclectic range of books; I’ve never wanted to confine my love of reading to a single genre.
And it’s the same with writing. From novel to novel, I’ve tried to vary and even, at times, to combine genres. Comedy, fantasy, adventure novel\u2014writing is a realm of limitless freedom. I’m too frightened of boring my readers by always doing the same thing, and besides, I too would get bored by constantly re-writing the same style of book. So each time I find myself exploring new horizons, setting off in different directions, and there’s still a lot of uncharted territory to discover…<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat would you say to those who have yet to discover your writing in order to encourage them to take a look?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

For me, reading and writing are synonymous with freedom. Those privileged moments in which you feel an intimate connection with a book afford a very personal kind of freedom. I read a wide range of works, I\u2019ve never wanted to restrict the pleasure I derive from reading to a single genre or to conform to the opinions of literary critics who tell you what you should and shouldn\u2019t read.
And it\u2019s the same with writing \u2013 with each book I\u2019ve made a concerted effort to never limit myself to one genre and to never tell the same story twice. I enjoy alternating the tone of my books: comedy, fantasy, thriller or adventure novel. I would be too afraid of getting bored, or boring those who are kind enough to read my work, to always write within a single genre. With each book, I am able to explore new horizons \u2013 and there are still many lands I have yet to discover\u2026 But all my books do have two things in common: none of them are inward-looking, they all tell a story and the sole purpose of that story is to showcase the characters involved. For me, each new novel is an opportunity to encounter new characters who, by the end, feel like friends.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhy do you never describe your characters in detail?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

In a way, I ‘sketch’ the outline of all my characters, preferring to leave it up to the reader to imagine them as he or she pleases. Books give you the freedom to visualise a character, and I think that the novelist’s job is to make things palpable rather than to show them. I’d like to think that if you were to ask different readers about how they see a certain character of my books, each would have their own description.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOf all your novels, which characters are you closest to?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Probably Ethan Daldry. I don\u2019t know why\u2014I\u2019d really like to have had him as a friend, to spend long hours talking with him, sitting on a bench overlooking the Bosphorus or the Thames. I often feel very close to the characters I have to reluctantly leave behind when I put the finishing touches to one of my novels. But for some time now, I’ve been realizing that I tend to hide myself most in my… female characters. But I won’t tell you which ones. \ud83d\ude42<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDo you have any writing rituals?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

I don’t really have rituals, except for the fact that I work at night, as it is much quieter. My dog Alice is the only one allowed to stay with me as I write: she watches me gently and makes sure that I do not drink too much coffee. Other than that, I like to write on a tidy wooden desk, under the kind gaze of the portrait of my grandmother.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTravel is an important part of your life and your writing. Where does this passion come from?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

From my father, a generous, open-minded man with a wicked sense of humor matched only by his humility. He taught me to take an interest in others, to appreciate difference rather than fear it, to make sure that my center of gravity was turned towards others and not towards the end of my own nose. I wanted to share this experience of traveling and meeting other cultures with my eldest son. And all these experiences later served me well in my novels.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMany of your books have been adapted for cinema. Are you pleased with the results?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Whenever a book is adapted, the story is entrusted to other authors, screenwriters and directors, whose talent cannot be limited to filming the pages of a book. Structural changes are inevitable \u2013 a book can take hours to read, but a film has a time limit. Unlike in a film, there are no budget constraints on the story told in a book. For an adaptation to be faithful, what matters is not the cuts that are made, but whether the director wishes to stay true to the characters in the novel. This was the case in the adaptations of London Mon Amour,<\/em>\u00a0Finding You <\/em>and All Those Things We Never Said<\/em>, but not in the case of If Only It Were True<\/em>.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIs it true that you answer your fan mail personally?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Yes, out of respect for those who are generous enough to read my work and take the time to write to me. So I find it normal to take the time to write them back. I’m not saying that I always write back straight away! When I’m writing, for example, I’m very focused on my novel and I inevitably have less time to read letters or emails from my readers. Even if I’m a bit late, I always make up for it by sending a little note in the end. This connection is very important to me.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhy do you live in New York?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

I like living abroad. Being in contact with people of a different culture and who speak another language is always very enriching. In addition, it’s a daily lesson in humility: nothing is ever a given. Every day you must forget your habits and reflexes, and adapt to the customs of the country where you live, even if they sometimes don’t make any sense. I\u2019ve always felt drawn by New York and its energy, its cultural diversity, eclecticism, and dynamic feel\u2026 I\u2019ve already lived there, and wrote several chapters of my books there. And it\u2019s not that you love your own country less because you live abroad\u2026 On the contrary, often the things you miss have even more prominence in your life. French people living abroad are also ambassadors who help foreigners discover and love their country.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tYou joined the Red Cross when you were 18. What led you to work for charity?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t

I spent six years in the Red Cross and I could never repay the Red Cross for all that it gave to me. I hear those who say that today’s world is individualistic, and it’s true that society isn’t the first to reach out to you, but this doesn’t stop you from reaching out to others. When I joined the Red Cross aged 18, I was immediately given a place in society. Nowadays when I support various charities, it’s also my way of participating somewhat in the society I live in. That said, I also dream of going back out to work on the field.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t