The Jean Giono 2024 Prize jury crowned Olivier Norek for his novel Winter Warriors (Michel Lafon). Among the eight finalists still in the running, Camille Pascalpour The Queen of the Maze (Robert Laffont) and Abel Quentin pour Hut (The Observatory) are the only ones to have also obtained votes.
“The White Death”
Winter Warriors narrates the destiny of Simo Häyhäa Finnish soldier nicknamed “The White Death” who distinguished himself in the battles between the Finnish army and the Red Army during the Second World War and who remains considered the best sniper of all time. Published on August 29, the novel has to date exceeded 86,000 copies sold according to Gfk.
The Jean Giono Prize is sponsored by the Jean Michalski Foundation. The winner will receive a check for 1000 euros. He succeeds Gaspard Koenigpour Humus (The Observatory)
This year’s jury was made up of Paule Constantof the Goncourt Academy, president, Metin Arditi, Tahar Ben Jellounfrom the Goncourt Academy, David Foenkinos, Franz Olivier Giesbert, Sylvie Giono, Robert Kopp, Emmanuelle Lambert, Vera Michalski, Etienne de Montety, Marianne Payot.
Belgium
