Key Facts
- ✓ Nine years have passed since the death of John Berger.
- ✓ 2026 marks the centenary of his birth.
- ✓ He abandoned painting to focus entirely on writing.
- ✓ He won the Booker Prize for his novel 'G'.
- ✓ He is described as a highly unorthodox Marxist.
Quick Summary
Nine years have passed since the death of British writer and critic John Berger. In 2026, the world also marks the centenary of his birth. Berger was considered one of the most original and influential intellectuals of the second half of the 20th century.
After a successful career as an art critic and painter in post-war London, he left his country to live in Quincy, a small village in the French Alps near Geneva. He abandoned painting to focus entirely on writing. His work explored themes of migration and blended various genres, including stories, novels, screenplays, poetry, and essays.
He collaborated with filmmaker Alain Tanner and wrote the Booker Prize-winning novel 'G'. Berger was described as a highly unorthodox Marxist with his feet on the ground but a sense of transcendence.
A Career in Art and Transition to Writing
John Berger established himself as a successful art critic and painter in the post-war environment of London. However, he eventually decided to leave his home country. He relocated to Quincy, a small town located in the French Alps near Geneva.
The author left behind his work in painting to dedicate himself completely to writing. His literary style was described as hybrid, lacking strict boundaries. This approach mirrored the interconnected world he envisioned. Migration became a recurring theme throughout his body of work.
"Others grew weary/and you take advantage of their weariness"
— Gospel of Saint John, quoted in Puerca tierra
Literary Works and Collaborations
Berger's writing cohabitated with several genres. These ranged from short stories to novels, and from cinematic scripts to poetry and essays. He often combined these forms within a single book, as seen in Puerca tierra, the first volume of his 'Trilogy of Fatigues'.
He opened the book with a quote from the Gospel of Saint John: "Others grew weary/and you take advantage of their weariness". Berger also collaborated on film projects, working directly with Alain Tanner. His novel G was a recipient of the Booker Prize.
Ideological Stance and Personal Admiration
The intellectual was known for his deep admiration for Jorge Luis Borges, despite their ideological differences. Berger was a Marxist, though he was viewed as a highly unorthodox one. He was characterized as having his feet on the ground while maintaining a sense of transcendence.
His notable works include Modes of Seeing, Once in Europe, and Lila and Flag. His legacy remains that of a unique voice in 20th-century thought.
