Born 22 January 1940 in Hybe, in the Liptov region. From 1957 to 1962 he studied Slovak and Russian at Comenius University in Bratislava. Between 1962 and 1965 he was an editor of the weekly Kultúrny život, then, until 1971, he worked for Slovak Radio in Bratislava. From 1972 he wrote film scripts for Slovak films. From 1992 to 1994 he was a deputy in the Slovak parliament. From 1996 to 1999 he worked in the National Centre for Slovak Literature.
Peter Jaroš began to write in the 1970’s. He is a free spirit and his work is characterized by constant experimentation. He did not comply with prior aesthetic norms or traditional literary techniques. His writing provoked controversial reactions of the critics who, despite their reservations, clearly recognized his unique talent.
His writing borders on human tragedy and comedy up to the grotesque, even in serious and solemn situations. Typical is his use of lyricism, eroticism, absurdity and naturalized cynicism, but also of deep sensitivity and shocking solutions and truths about people. He expresses the feelings of his contemporaries, both their joys and their evil side and their loneliness.
In his first five works (1963 – 1967), he used psychological devices in combination with the literature of "everyday life". Other works show the influence of the nouveau roman. The novel Tisícročná včela (Millennial Bee, 1979) is perhaps his best-known. The film adaptation was awarded at the Venice Film Festival in 1984. Literary critics cite it as one of the best post-war novels.
