Simon Leys

Simon Leys is the pen-name of Pierre Ryckmans, who was born in Belgium and settled in Australia in 1970. He taught Chinese Literature at the Australian National University and was Professor of Chinese Studies at the University of Sidney from 1987 o1993.

He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Humanities and Member of the Académie Royale de Litterature Française (Belguim). His most recent awards include the Prix Renaudot (France), Prix Henri Gal (Académie Française), Prix Fémina (100th Anniversary, Ministry of Culture, France), Prix Quinquernal de Littérature (Ministry of Culture, Belguim), Prix Del Duca, Académie Française and Prix Leygues, Academie de Marine (France).

The Wreck of the Batavia was published in 2007.