Paris – Famous French writer Dominique Lapierre (91), who kept India in his heart, passed away. Known for bestsellers like Freedom at Midnight and City of Joy, Lapierre has been honored with the Padma Bhushan by India. Keeping close ties with India, he donates a portion of his royalties to rehabilitate street children in Kolkata. Lapierre’s death was announced by his wife Conchion Lapierre to a French media outlet.
He was born in Chatuliun Place, France in 1931 and went to America with his father at the age of 13. His father was the French Consul in the US. Schooled in New Orleans. Even at that time he was interested in writing and travelling. Later, he studied economics at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania on a Fulbright scholarship.
Later traveled to America and Europe. The first book is A Dollar for a Thousand Kilometers. It became a bestseller across Europe. The second book is Honeymoon Around the Earth. Later, he met Larry Collins while serving in the French army. It was the beginning of a great partnership. They co-wrote ‘Is Paris Burning?’ The book became a bestseller. They later wrote books together. 2005’s ‘Is New York Burning? It is the last book they wrote together.
Lapierre’s closeness to India is the book ‘Independence in Half-Night’ (co-written with Larry Collins) and the novel ‘City of Joy’ written about Kolkata, which describes India’s independence in a beautiful way.
O Jerusalem, Five Past Midnight in Bhopal, A Rainbow in the Night (History), A Dollar for a Thousand Miles, Once Upon a Time in the Soviet Union (Travel), Beyond Love, The Fifth Horseman (Novel), A Thousand Sons, Other important works are India Mon Amor (autobiography). The books Is Paris Burning? and City of Joy have been made into movies.
English Summary: French Author Dominique Lapierre, Dies At 91