The National Book Center (CNL), operator of the Ministry of Culture, and the Académie Goncourt are pleased to announce that the Goncourt prize for prisoners has been awarded to Sandrine Collette for her novel Madelaine before dawn (JC Lattes).
This Tuesday, December 17, ten people in custody chosen as national delegates for the final deliberations met behind closed doors at the National Book Center.
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 chosen to award the 2024 Goncourt Prize for Prisoners to Sandrine Collette for her novel Madelaine before dawn published by JC Lattès.
The Goncourt of the Inmates
Created and supported by the National Book Center (CNL), operator of the Ministry of Culture, and the Ministry of Justice, under the patronage of the Académie Goncourt, the Goncourt prize for prisoners aims to make prisoners actors of a literary prize, by promoting their critical capacity while introducing them to contemporary literary works. This prize gives nearly 600 people in custody the opportunity to read and debate works of contemporary literature. This year, the national jury came from 45 prison establishments in mainland France and overseas.
Madelaine before dawn (JC Lattes)
It is a place sheltered from time. This tiny hamlet, which we call Les Montées, is a country in itself for the twins Ambre and Aelis, and old Rose.
Life here has never been easy. Families work miserly land that belongs to others, enduring injustice through gritted teeth. But that's how it's always been.
Until the day Madelaine appears. A hungry and wild little girl, out of the forests. Adopted by Les Montées, Madelaine delights them, passionate, courageous, so lively. However, there remains in his eyes this little flame that is not quite right. A little flame that will one day burn the world.
With Madelaine Before Dawn, Sandrine Collette questions the order of things, probes the instinct for revolt, and offers us, served by dazzling writing, an ode to family ties.
About Sandrine Collette
Sandrine Collette lives in Morvan. She is notably the author of And always the ForestsRTL Lire Grand Prix, France Bleu Book Prize – PAGE of booksellers, La Closerie des Lilas prize as well as We were wolvesRenaudot prize for high school students and Giono prize 2022. His latest novel Madelaine before dawn has already been crowned with the 2024 Goncourt prize for high school students.
