Angelo Rinaldi, Renowned French Writer and Literary Critic, Passes Away at 84
Rinaldi, a prominent figure in French literature and a member of the Académie Française, died in Paris on May 7, 2025.
Angelo Rinaldi, an esteemed writer, literary critic, and member of the Académie Française, has passed away at the age of 84 on May 7, 2025, in Paris.
The Académie Française announced his death in a formal statement, expressing the collective sorrow of its members for the loss of their esteemed colleague.
Rinaldi was elected to the Académie in 2001, occupying seat 20 among the Immortels.
Born on June 17, 1940, in Bastia, Corsica, Rinaldi grew up in a shepherd's family and was the son of a World War II resistance fighter.
At the age of 20, he left Corsica and settled in mainland France, though he maintained a strong connection to his Corsican roots and the Corsican language throughout his life.
Rinaldi's career as a journalist began in the realm of judicial reporting at local newspapers such as Nice-Matin and Paris-Jour.
He later transitioned into literary criticism, writing for notable publications including L'Express, Le Point, Le Nouvel Observateur, and Le Figaro littéraire.
His literary prowess was recognized early in his life when he received the prestigious Prix Femina in 1971 for his second novel, "La Maison des Atlantes," which narrates the reflections of a Corsican lawyer in the twilight of his life.
As a literary critic, Rinaldi was known for his stringent standards regarding style, which often led to pointed critiques of established authors such as Milan Kundera, Marguerite Duras, and Patrick Modiano.
In an interview with La Revue des deux mondes in 2024, he remarked on the importance of maintaining integrity in criticism, stating, "You must choose between your profession and your career.
If you write what delights the publisher or the author, you may build a career, but you do not serve your role as a literary critic."
In March, a collection of Rinaldi's writings, comprising 58 chronicles under the title "Les Roses et les Épines," was reissued, showcasing his contributions to literary discourse.
The Académie Française announced his death in a formal statement, expressing the collective sorrow of its members for the loss of their esteemed colleague.
Rinaldi was elected to the Académie in 2001, occupying seat 20 among the Immortels.
Born on June 17, 1940, in Bastia, Corsica, Rinaldi grew up in a shepherd's family and was the son of a World War II resistance fighter.
At the age of 20, he left Corsica and settled in mainland France, though he maintained a strong connection to his Corsican roots and the Corsican language throughout his life.
Rinaldi's career as a journalist began in the realm of judicial reporting at local newspapers such as Nice-Matin and Paris-Jour.
He later transitioned into literary criticism, writing for notable publications including L'Express, Le Point, Le Nouvel Observateur, and Le Figaro littéraire.
His literary prowess was recognized early in his life when he received the prestigious Prix Femina in 1971 for his second novel, "La Maison des Atlantes," which narrates the reflections of a Corsican lawyer in the twilight of his life.
As a literary critic, Rinaldi was known for his stringent standards regarding style, which often led to pointed critiques of established authors such as Milan Kundera, Marguerite Duras, and Patrick Modiano.
In an interview with La Revue des deux mondes in 2024, he remarked on the importance of maintaining integrity in criticism, stating, "You must choose between your profession and your career.
If you write what delights the publisher or the author, you may build a career, but you do not serve your role as a literary critic."
In March, a collection of Rinaldi's writings, comprising 58 chronicles under the title "Les Roses et les Épines," was reissued, showcasing his contributions to literary discourse.