a literary success at the cost of great upheavals

Mohamed Mbougar Sarr saw his life radically transformed following winning the Goncourt Prize in 2021 for his novel “The Most Secret Memory of Men”. In an interview with the newspaper Le Soleil, the author recounts having visited around thirty countries spread over four continents. He expresses the difficulty of adapting to the speed of what he describes as a “rapid and voracious whirlwind”.

These numerous trips were mainly linked to the promotion of his work, causing constant requests, invitations and sometimes proposals disconnected from the literary world. “At a certain time, I only came home to change my suitcase,” recalls the writer. This hectic pace impacted his health, his mental balance as well as his time devoted to writing. He remembers: “I even woke up in the middle of the night without knowing what country I was in. »

Despite these difficulties, Mohamed Mbougar Sarr regrets nothing. He considers this period a “magnificent adventure” and says he is aware of his privilege. Travel allowed him to discover extraordinary countries and people, recalling for example a memorable stay in Brazil where he felt profound gratitude. According to the website of our colleagues Kawtef, Mohammed Mbougar Sarr is already thinking about his future literary projects, anticipating the aftermath of “The Most Secret Memory of Men”.