Award is usually seen as elitist but former screenwriter’s Veiller sur elle has strong sales and is a ‘popular’ read
Jean-Baptiste Andrea has won France’s most prestigious literary award, the Prix Goncourt, for a bestselling saga of the tumultuous life of a sculptor set against the backdrop of the rise of fascism in Italy.
Andrea, who turned to novel writing after a long career as a screenwriter, has described Veiller sur elle as an expansive story of love, friendship and revenge. The novel stood out for a literary prize that has often been seen as elitist, as it already had strong sales and had been defined by some critics as a “popular” read.
More Stories
Spain aims to ban flushing of wet wipes, with manufacturers paying for cleanup
UK trade envoy’s visit to Israel one week after talks suspended sparks criticism
One dead and 48 injured in Israeli gunfire at Gaza food point