Jean Claude Izzo was a renowned French novelist, poet, screenwriter, and playwright, best known for his achievements during the 1990s. Izzo was born in the port city of Marseille in the south of France, where he set his famous "Marseilles" trilogy. His writing was heavily influenced by his family background, with an Italian immigrant father and a Spanish immigrant maternal grandfather. Despite his passion for writing, Izzo's early education focused on technical skills, and he was taught how to operate a lathe.
Later, Izzo's career took a different turn when he began working in a bookstore in 1963. It was during this time that he became actively involved in Pax Christi, a Catholic peace movement. His passion for activism and writing would continue when he was called up for military service in Toulon and Djibouti in 1964. During his military service, Izzo worked as a photographer and journalist for the military newspaper.
Izzo's big break came in the mid-1990s when he published "Total Chaos," the debut novel of the "Marseilles" trilogy. The trilogy, which also includes "Chourmo" and "Solea," features ex-cop Fabio Montale as the protagonist and is set in Izzo's native city of Marseille. The trilogy was widely translated into English by Howard Curtis and brought Izzo sudden fame. His writing, particularly the Marseilles trilogy, is known for its noir style and exploration of social issues, making him a significant figure in French literature.