L'Herbe à brûler

Conrad Detrez (1937-1985) was a Belgian-born novelist, journalist, and diplomat who became a French citizen in 1982 and is best known for his autobiographical novel L'Herbe à brûler (A Weed for Burning), which won the prestigious Prix Renaudot in 1978. Born in Roclenge-sur-Geer, Belgium, he traveled to Brazil as a missionary, engaged in revolutionary activities against the military dictatorship, and later lived in Paris where he died of AIDS. His works often explored political disillusionment, his Catholic upbringing, and experiences in Latin America through an energetic, darkly humorous style.