Born in Saint-Brevin in 1957, Patrick Deville becomes Cultural Attaché in the Persian Gulf at 23 years old. Two years later, he is the holder of the CAPES philosophy and teaches abroad. He then began a series of many trips that lead him to a long stay in Algeria, Nigeria, Morocco, Havana...
His early novels are noted by critics for their minimalist approach and translated into a dozen languages. Deville continues his travels in France and his travels abroad. He get involved in organizing literary events.
In 2001, he deployed his energies as director of the MEET (Foreign Writers and Translators House), located in Saint-Nazaire, in which, passionate by South America, he has created a Latino America Literary Award.
From 2004, he also focuses itself on the themes of travel, and a reflection on the utopias of the twentieth century and their failures, particularly in Africa and Southeast Asia. In 2011, the magazine's redaction Read elects
Kampuchea best French novel of the year. His latest book
Peste et choléra won the Prix Femina in 2012 and was in the final selection of the Prix Goncourt 2012.