The Literary Anarchist: 7 Shocking Facts About Adam Biles, The Man Reimagining George Orwell And Running Shakespeare And Company

Adam Biles is arguably one of the most vital, yet understated, figures in contemporary European literature today, a man whose dual life as a celebrated satirical novelist and the Literary Director of the world-famous Shakespeare and Company bookshop in Paris makes him a fascinating study. As of December 2025, Biles continues to shape the literary landscape from his historic perch on the Left Bank, championing new voices while penning his own unique brand of dark, witty, and politically charged fiction. This article dives deep into his career, from his groundbreaking debut to his anarchic sequel to a literary classic.

A true literary polymath, Biles’s work is characterized by its sharp prose, biting wit, and a willingness to tackle thorny social dilemmas with an almost absurdist lens. His influence extends beyond his own novels, as his role at the iconic Parisian institution places him at the nexus of international literary discourse, hosting hundreds of conversations with the world's most prominent writers and thinkers. Prepare to discover the full scope of his career, his literary influences, and the shocking themes that define his work.

Adam Biles: Complete Biographical Profile and Career Milestones

Adam Biles is a highly regarded English writer, translator, and literary professional currently based in Paris, France. His career is defined by his satirical fiction and his crucial role in one of the world's most famous independent bookshops.

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• Full Name: Adam Biles
• Nationality: English
• Primary Residence: Paris, France
• Primary Occupations: Novelist, Translator, Literary Director
• Key Role: Literary Director at Shakespeare and Company, Paris (formerly Events Manager)
• Debut Novel: Feeding Time (Published by Galley Beggar Press)
• Second Novel: Beasts of England (Published in 2023, a sequel/homage to George Orwell's Animal Farm)
• Early Work: Grey Cats (Runner-up in the inaugural Paris Literary Prize in 2011, published by 3:AM Press in 2012)
• Editorial/Curatorial Work: Editor/Contributor to The Shakespeare and Company Book of Interviews.
• Literary Style: Noted for dark humor, satire, sharp prose, and a comparison to writers like Thomas Pynchon.

1. The Anarchic Sequel to George Orwell’s Animal Farm

One of the most recent and significant chapters in Adam Biles’s career is the publication of his 2023 novel, Beasts of England.

The book is not merely inspired by, but serves as an anarchic and humorous sequel to George Orwell’s seminal work, Animal Farm. This bold literary move places Biles in a unique position, daring to honor, update, and subvert a true classic of political satire.

Beasts of England is set years after the original revolution, following the same plot of power that inevitably corrupts. However, Biles channels the chaotic and fragmented nature of modern populist politics, creating a timely successor for the post-truth era. The long-lived donkey, Benjamin, a character from the original, acts as a thread binding the two narratives together.

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2. His Debut Novel Sparked a Revolutionary Uprising in a Care Home

Biles’s debut novel, Feeding Time, immediately established his reputation for dark comedy and social commentary.

Published by the independent Galley Beggar Press, the novel is centered on a revolutionary uprising within a dystopian retirement home named Green Oaks. The central concept—a rebellion by the elderly—allows Biles to wrestle with the ever-thornier social dilemma of elder care and societal neglect, all while maintaining a dazzling and darkly funny tone.

The novel’s biting wit and sharp prose were widely praised, with critics noting its tricksy yet big-hearted nature. It introduced readers to Biles’s unique voice, which has been compared to diverse authors, including the famously complex Thomas Pynchon.

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3. The Literary Director of Shakespeare and Company

Adam Biles is perhaps equally famous for his influential day job: serving as the Literary Director at the renowned Parisian bookshop, Shakespeare and Company.

This iconic independent bookstore, situated on the Left Bank overlooking Notre-Dame Cathedral, is a global literary landmark. Biles's role is pivotal, as he is the man responsible for bringing authors to the shop and curating its extensive program of literary events.

He oversees the hundreds of interviews and conversations that take place in the store, ranging from discussions with prize-winning novelists to visionary non-fiction writers. This curatorial work is not just administrative; it positions Biles as a key gatekeeper and facilitator of international literary discourse in Paris.

4. The Voice Behind the Shakespeare and Company Podcast

As part of his duties as Literary Director, Biles is the host of the bookshop’s weekly podcast, "The Shakespeare and Company Interview."

This podcast extends the bookshop’s mission of promoting new and established literary voices to a global audience. Biles's conversations with authors are known for their depth and insight, capturing the unique intellectual atmosphere of the store. The podcast often features recordings of recent events, ensuring that the literary energy of Paris is accessible worldwide.

In fact, Biles compiled and edited a selection of these conversations into the published work, The Shakespeare and Company Book of Interviews, a testament to the cultural importance of the events he curates.

5. An Award-Winning Early Career in Paris

Before his major novel publications, Biles had already established himself in the Paris literary scene.

His earlier work, a novel titled Grey Cats, was a runner-up for the inaugural Paris Literary Prize in 2011. Published in 2012 by the independent publisher 3:AM Press, this early success solidified his status as an emerging voice to watch. His decision to base himself in Paris, not just as a writer but also as a literary professional, has been a defining factor in his career trajectory.

6. He is Also a Highly Regarded Translator

Adam Biles is a skilled translator in addition to his work as a novelist and literary director.

Being an English writer based in France, his role as a translator is a natural extension of his deep immersion in both linguistic and literary cultures. His translation work, such as Manhattan's Babe, highlights his ability to move seamlessly between creating his own original satirical fiction and interpreting the work of others, further establishing his topical authority in the international literary world.

7. His Satire is a Commentary on Modern Populism

Both of Biles’s major novels are rooted in sharp satire, using fantastical or absurd premises to dissect real-world political and social issues.

While Feeding Time used the microcosm of the care home to critique societal structures and neglect, Beasts of England is a direct, albeit anarchic, commentary on the rise of modern populism and the chaotic, fragmented nature of contemporary political life. By echoing the themes of George Orwell, Biles positions himself as a modern political fabulist, using the power of allegory to make sense of the current global political disorder. His work is a crucial intellectual bridge between the historical political satire of the 20th century and the complexities of the 21st.