Anne-Laure Bondoux was born in Bois-Colombes, France, in 1971. On her way to becoming one of the most acclaimed authors of books for children and young adults in France, she completed her studies in literature, developed award-winning writers’ workshops, participated in the theatre and wrote »chanson« lyrics. In 1996, she began work for a publisher in Paris, and soon published her first works. She abandoned her job as an editor in 2000 to dedicate herself full-time to writing.
Bondoux moves with ease between genres, producing science fiction, adventure stories and realistic fiction for young people. She commented: »The universe and the themes of my books are very different. The world of the novel opens up an unbelievably vast freedom to a writer.« Bondoux’s poetic language, her believable characters and arresting dramaturgy bring her works to life. They include the science fiction series that introduces Linus Hoppe, who discovers the threats of a society split into different spheres in the not-so-distant future. »Le destin de Linus Hoppe« (2001; Eng. »The Destiny of Linus Hoppe«, 2005) and the books that follow in the series have been translated into several languages. Bondoux’s novel »La princetta et la capitaine« (2004; Eng. »The Princess and the Captain«, 2006) also transports the reader to a fantasy world. When Malva, heiress to the throne of Galicia, is to be married, she successfully escapes. In her 500-page work, the author presents elements from the great tradition of adventure literature: a rebellious princess in danger of her life, a young captain who comes to her rescue, an illustrious ship’s crew and an almost impossible quest. Bondoux explores completely different literary terrain in »La vie comme elle vient« (2004; Eng. »Life as it comes«, 2007). The book tells the story of the fun-loving twenty year-old, Patty, who becomes the guardian of her cautious fifteen year-old sister, Mado, after their parents die in an accident. Perceptive and warm-hearted, the author draws a powerful portrait of two dissimilar sisters, whose relationship experiences a further change when Patty becomes pregnant. The book was awarded the Prix des Lycéens Allemands’ special prize in 2005. In »Les Larmes de l’assassin« (2006; Eng. »The Killer’s Tears«, 2006), Bondoux masterfully explores another existential experience. In the middle of nowhere, Patagonia, Angel kills young Paolo’s parents and moves into their farmhouse. When the well-educated Luis Secunda appears, an unconventional ménage à trois begins in which the two adults compete to give Paolo fatherly affection. The author strikingly reduces all one-dimensional expectations of good and evil to absurdity. »Publishers Weekly« commented: »Bondoux’s evocative […] story reaches into the icy soul of a murderer and chronicles the effect of a needy and innocent boy.«
The author has received numerous awards for her multi-faceted work, including the Prix Sorcières in 2004. She lives with her family near Paris.
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