After winning the Goncourt prize for high school students, the author has just won the prize for prisoners for her novel. Madelaine before dawn (Lattès).
Sandrine Collette strikes a double blow. After winning the Goncourt for high school students on November 28, she has just won the one for prisoners. This Tuesday, December 17, ten people placed under judicial control chosen as national delegates for the final deliberations met behind closed doors at the National Book Center (CNL) to crown his latest novel Madelaine before dawn (Lattès).
After more than three months of diligent reading of the 16 books competing for the prize, resulting from the first selection of the Académie Goncourt, and following 56 meetings with the authors which took place in the partner penitentiary centers, the national delegates have therefore chosen this dark tale, with the accents of a feminist Little Red Riding Hood. No doubt they were sensitive to the author's pen, but also to her story, and in particular this closed door against which the characters struggle.
A pride for the National Book Center
“The success of this prize can no longer be denied, with the participation, this year, of nearly 600 people placed in custody, from 45 establishments in mainland France and overseas”rejoiced Régine Hatchondo, president of the CNL.
Created two years ago, by the National Book Center (CNL), operator of the Ministry of Culture, and the Ministry of Justice, under the patronage of the Académie Goncourt, this prize makes it possible to make detained people actors of a literary prize, by promoting their critical capacity while introducing them to contemporary literary works. This year, the national jury came from 45 prison establishments in mainland France and overseas.
“It is a source of pride for the National Book Center to carry out this project which makes it possible to make detainees actors of a literary prize, added the president of the CNL. We are very happy to host the final deliberations at the CNL and to witness the culmination of these four months of meetings, readings and debates. Congratulations to the winner of the 2024 Goncourt Prisoners Prize and to all the participants for their commitment. »
A nice recognition therefore, for Sandrine Collette. At 54, the author first distinguished herself in dark novels, the success of which allowed her to nourish her passion for horses. Then she moved on to what the publishing community calls “white literature”the one that competes for the major literary prizes. A doctor in political science who branched out into administrative professions at university, she now devotes herself to writing from her region of origin, Morvan.
Sandrine Collette succeeds Mokhtar Amoudi and his novel Ideal Conditions (Gallimard).
