The next and fifth edition of the Tours Book Fair will take place in a month, Saturday November 16, 2024, at the Grand Théâtre. As a preamble to this major literary fair which welcomes no less than 5,000 visitors each year, the jury for the 2024 “Honoré de Balzac Literary Prize” met on Tuesday October 15 at the Domaine de la Tortinière, in Monts, partner of the event. Six books were in competition for this prize which, after three rounds of voting, went to the author Agnès Laurent for her book One beautiful day (Récamier editions).
Laurent Decaux, Alain’s son, president of the jury
“It is a choral novel in four voices, the story of siblings who will find themselves separated from their parents for life, and we follow the evolution of their four lives from a distance, four lives turned upside down by the fate “, commented the president of the jury, the writer Laurent Decaux, son of the famous historian Alain Decaux.
Agnès Laurent will receive her prize during the Tours Book Fair, which will take place on Saturday November 16 at the Grand Théâtre de Tours.
The president of the Livres en Loire association Monique Lefaucheur, the president of the 2024 jury, the writer Laurent Decaux and the journalist Philippe Chauveau who will host the meetings on the Opera stage on November 16.
© (Photo NR, Pascal Landré)
“A very high level selection”
“It was a very high-level selection with books which often explored the family and social world, which is the principle of the Honoré de Balzac prize”added Laurent Decaux. This is the second work by the winner, whose previous book Go back to sleep, everything is fine was published by Plon. Agnès Laurent’s award-winning book will soon be crowned with the famous “Prix Honoré de Balzac” banner in bookstores. The novelist will also receive a prize of €1,000 from the Livres en Loire association as well as a weekend at the Château de la Tortinière.
A very close voting result
The result of the votes was very close, and this book only won by one vote over the latest novel by Thibault de Montaigu, Heart, which also greatly appealed to the jury. “We are preparing this 5e edition for several months, 31 authors will be present at the Opera and 5,000 visitors are expected for this day of signings and meetings with the authors that the journalist Philippe Chauveau will host. said the president of the Livres en Loire association, Monique Lefaucheur.
This 5e edition which will benefit from sustained communication in local media (NR et TV Tours-Val de Loire) as well as on the backs of buses in the city of Tours, will have as guest of honor the novelist Aurélie Valognes, who regularly ranks in the top 10 for book sales in France and who will sign her latest work published by Fayard, The lineage.
More than 150 national authors, who still have literary relevance, were received by the Livres en Loire association, created in 2018, and which continues, with its 144 volunteer members, its mission to promote books, writing and reading for all.
Fifth edition of the Tours Book Fair at the Opera, Saturday November 16, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Authors signing, round tables, entertainment. In the presence of Lorraine Fouchet, godmother of Livres en Loire. FREE ENTRANCE. www.livresenloire.com
