Michel Butor: Remembering the Nouveau Roman pioneer on his 100th birthday

French writer Michel Butor would have been 100 years old this September 14. A central figure of the Nouveau Roman movement, Butor gained significant recognition with his 1957 work ‘La Modification’, noted for its experimental use of the second-person plural perspective.

Throughout his career, Butor moved beyond traditional novel structures to explore diverse artistic forms. His prolific output included essays, poetry, music theory, and photography. He was particularly known for his work with artist books, where he integrated text with visual design through collaborations with various visual artists.

Described by the Bibliothèque nationale de France as a multifaceted and difficult-to-categorize creator, Butor’s interests spanned painting, music, and travel. Even in his later years, he remained interested in the intersection of literature and new technologies, such as the internet.