It’s the story of a growing success. Upon its release in September 1984, “L’Amant” became a favorite with the public and critics. As evidenced by the passage from Duras to Apostrophes, by Bernard Pivot. “One hundred thousand copies in four weeks is absolutely fabulous,” notes the literary journalist. “Did your sensitivity, which is very acute, very pointed, have a slight inkling of this success?” he asks. “No, no, quite the contrary,” replies the writer.
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But Duras, at 70, is already a very recognized writer. She no longer hopes to obtain the Goncourt. And its publisher, Jérôme Lindon, the boss of Editions de Minuit, doesn’t believe it either. “I am ready to take all bets. I can tell you that Marguerite Duras will not have the Goncourt prize. If you ask me my personal resentment, I think that the Goncourt prize to Marguerite Duras would have honored the Goncourt prize more than Marguerite Duras who doesn’t need it“, he believes.
“No reason for them to give it to me today”
And yet, the next day, the Goncourt was awarded to “L’Amant”. Marguerite Duras did not even come to Paris for the proclamation. François Gonnet, from France Inter, managed to reach her by telephone, in her house in Normandy:
– So, you are Goncourt 1984, are you going to come to Paris?
– Non.
– And the Goncourt, were you waiting for it?
– No. I didn’t even watch TV… There was no reason for them to give it to me today, just like there was no reason for them not to give it to me before.
To underline the uniqueness of this book, the publisher has never released it in pocket format. To celebrate this fortieth anniversary, Editions de Minuit are publishing a special edition of “L’Amant”, with reproductions of handwritten pages by the author.
