The French writer and Nobel Literature laureate J. M. G. Le Clezio is one of the most translated authors in the world and widely considered a living legend of French literature. He also harbors a keen interest in Korea that not only prompted him to learn and master the Korean language on his own but also inspired his new novel. BITNA: UNDER THE SKY OF SEOUL is Le Clezio's portrait of Seoul--its people and its places--rendered with an intimate familiarity and attention to detail that few non-Korean writers, not to mention non-natives of Seoul, could replicate. It is a story of life in the city as it is being lived today.