Gerard Gavarry was born in Paris in 1946 and has also lived in New Caledonia, Niger, Guinea, Benin, and London. He studied literature at the Sorbonne and taught French literature first in Gabon and then in Paris. He is the author of eight books. Jane Kuntz has translated Everyday Life and The Power of Flies by Lydie Salvayre, Hotel Crystal by Olivier Rolin, Pigeon Post by Dumitru Tsepeneag, and Hoppla! 1 2 3 and Making a Novel by Gerard Gavarry, all of which are available from Dalkey Archive Press.