The French Academy gave its prestigious reward to the young writer of
American origin for les bienveillantes, the phenomenon of the literary
opening.
First price of the literary season: the Academicians allotted their
Great price of the novel, and its 7.500 euros to Jonathan Littell for
les Bienveillantes (Gallimard). This paving stone of 920 pages, written
in French by this 39 years American author, was selected by the
majority of the jury as of the first turn.
Fictionalized confession of a former officer SS, les bienveillantes
carried on Marilyn, last meetings of Michel Schneider (Grasset) and
What is lost of Vincent Delecroix (Gallimard), which obtained each one
4 votes.
The first novel of Jonathan Littell is already the leading event of the
re-entry, with more than 200.000 sold specimens.
The prize winner was still unknown of the public, two months ago. Wire
of the journalist and specialist in the spy novel American, Robert
Littell, it grew and makes its studies in France, before supplementing
its formation in the American universities.
Littell traversed the zones of conflict during 15 years for the account
of humane organizations before being devoted to the drafting of les
bienveillantes. It has until now given only rare interviews and was
declared indifferent to the literary prices.
Les bienveillantes is in competition for all the great literary prices
of the autumn. The novel is distinguished from entry, which does not
exclude that it can be again rewarded in the next days. The season of
the prices will continue Monday October 30, with the attribution of
Femina and Médicis. Goncourt and Renaudot will follow, except
surprise, on November 6.
