Tzvetan Todorov belongs to the literary record as a writer whose work outlasted the moment that produced it.
The record lists Tzvetan Todorov as Bulgarian historian, philosopher, structuralist literary critic, sociologist and essayist (1939-2017).
Tzvetan Todorov was born at Sofia in 1939. His recorded nationality is Bulgaria. He was educated at Sofia University and School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences.
Twentieth-century writing was shaped by war, exile and translation; many of its major careers were conducted across more than one language and country.
He worked as non-fiction writer, historian and semiologist.
The writing is recorded in Bulgarian and French.
Among his best-known works are The Fantastic: A Structural Approach to a Literary Genre and The Conquest of America: The Question of the Other. Literature is judged by re-reading, which is a slower and harsher test than acclaim.
Recognition followed: Knight of the Legion of Honour and La Bruyère Prize (2001).
That the work was written from Bulgaria matters: language, censorship and the reach of a publishing industry decide which books travel and which stay local.
Tzvetan Todorov died in 2017, aged 78. The books remain, which is the only durable form a writing life takes.
Achievements
- Knight of the Legion of Honour
- La Bruyère Prize — 2001
- Notable work: The Fantastic: A Structural Approach to a Literary Genre
- Notable work: The Conquest of America: The Question of the Other
