John Robert Fowles
- Born:
- March 31, 1926, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, England
- Died:
- November 5, 2005, Lyme Regis, Dorset, England
- Nationality:
- British
- Profession(s):
- Novelist, Essayist, Poet
Early Life and Education
- Educated at Bedford School and New College, Oxford, where he read French, later switching to English.
- Served in the Royal Navy, though he never saw active service.
- Taught English in France, Greece, and England before becoming a full-time writer.
Career and Major Achievements
- Established himself as a major figure in postmodern literature.
- Explored themes of freedom, existentialism, and the nature of storytelling in his works.
- His writing style is characterized by metafiction and open endings.
- Fowles was initially interested in philosophy, particularly existentialism, which influenced his literary themes and writing style.
Notable Works
- The Collector (1963)
- The Magus (1965, revised 1977)
- The French Lieutenant's Woman (1969)
- Daniel Martin (1977)
- Mantissa (1982)
- A Maggot (1985)
Film Adaptations
| Title | Year | Based on |
|---|---|---|
| The Collector | 1965 | The Collector |
| The Magus | 1968 | The Magus |
| The French Lieutenant's Woman | 1981 | The French Lieutenant's Woman |
Legacy and Impact
The story of the life of John Fowles is one of innovation and profound influence on contemporary literature. His works continue to be studied and adapted, exploring complex themes and challenging traditional narrative structures.