6 New French Books You Should Read
It is French literary award season, and the juries have highlighted several books that deserve a spot on your "To Read" list, along with one overlooked gem. The Prix Goncourt, France's most prestigious literary prize, awards a symbolic cheque of €10, often framed and displayed proudly by winners. The Prix Renaudot offers no monetary reward, yet both, along with the Prix Médicis, the Femina Prize, and the Académie Française Grand Prix du Roman, significantly boost book sales.
To stay updated with your well-read circle, here are some French titles to consider next time you visit your local bookstore.
La Maison Vide (The Empty House)
Laurent Mauvignier's La Maison Vide won the Prix Goncourt with just one voting round. The novel is a detailed, fourth wall-breaking exploration of the author's family history, beginning with his great-great-grandmother, told through heirlooms and mementos. This 750-page work has the intensity of a thriller. It also won the Prix littéraire Le Monde and the Prix des libraires de Nancy-Le Point, and was nominated for the Femina prize.
"It needed just one round of voting by the jury of the Prix Goncourt to award the prestigious literary prize to Laurent Mauvignier for La Maison Vide — a forensic, fourth wall-breaking, fictional tour of his family’s past."
These awards not only honor literary excellence but also create significant buzz and increase the visibility of French literature worldwide.
Author’s summary: French literary prizes spotlight remarkable books like La Maison Vide, blending history and storytelling, enriching readers with deeply personal narratives.