On his desk cluttered with files, medical paraphernalia and notes, we cannot help but notice the somewhat incongruous presence of novels. It must be said that here, we find ourselves in the lair of Séverine Debiais, neurologist at the CHRU of Tours, in Bretonneau.
Two of the books on the desk – Garcin Syndrome by Jérôme Garcin and The Fools’ Ball by Victoria Mas – have a connection with medicine. So be it! But a third is very intriguing. The novel is one of ten works selected for the Inter Book Prize 2024. A famous prize which is celebrating its 50th this yeare editing.
Nothing unusual in finding it on the desk of the Touraine neurologist since Séverine Debiais is one of the twenty-four jurors selected by public radio. A privilege for the woman who grew up in Joué-lès-Tours, studied medicine in Tours and who has worked for more than fifteen years as a hospital practitioner in vascular neurology at the Tours CHRU.
“Already in 2020, I applied to be part of the jury but I was not selected”explains the doctor who admits to being the same age as the Inter Book Prize. “That’s actually how I started my letter, by talking about the price and highlighting our common age”she continues quickly.
Already a candidate in 2020
The failure of 2020 did not prevent her from trying her luck again in 2024. “I had heard that Isabelle Huppert was president this year. Plus, I had just been skiing. Cruciate ligament rupture. I was at rock bottom. » The literature enthusiast who, as a child, dreamed of being “doctor and author”rewrites a long cover letter. “I was very sincere and very simple. I talked about the books I loved this year. And I confessed that I enjoyed the noir novel among other readings. »
Once the letter is gone, the hospital practitioner no longer thinks about it. “I had completely forgotten about it and hadn’t told anyone around me. 2,500 letters sent for 24 people selected. I didn’t have too many illusions. »
2,500 letters sent for 24 people selected
It was on her way home, on April 3, 2024 at lunchtime, that she turned on the radio at 13/14. And there, surprise! “I hear the live announcement of the ten selected books. » Eva Bettan, journalist and responsible for the prize, then continues with the names of the 24 jurors. “I didn’t know that they gave the names of the jury members live on the radio, continues the diligent reader. And then I hear my name! Amazing. Isabelle Huppert then said very nice words about our letters. She was very touching. What a pleasure. »
Since the announcement, Séverine Debiais has received the ten books. How does she find the time to read them all in less than two months and do her job as a neurologist? “The knee operation that I have to undergo soon and therefore the work stoppage that follows will allow me to get thereconfides the juror. “I don’t have a reading grid system. I do summaries and take notes on my cell phone. My main criterion is whether I want to share the book with those around me. »
“I am ready to defend my favorite novel”
Because for Séverine Debiais, reading is above all a passion that we share. The little girl who already “at 4 years old wanted to read everything” learned to read before first grade and spent a lot of time at the library in Joué-lès-Tours. “My parents lived nearby and the game was to bring home as many books as possible. »
Today, Séverine Debiais is a big fan of cultural programs from France Inter : The Mask and the Featherobviously. “I listen to the criticism. And I give as gifts the books that I loved like the works of Deborah Levy, Hannelore Cayre, The Friend by Sigrid Nunez, Its smell after the rain by Cédric Sapin-Defour, for example. »
With the ten books in the selection, she hopes to make great discoveries. For the deliberation which will take place on June 2, 2024 at the Maison de la radio in Paris, with the 23 other jurors and Isabelle Huppert, Séverine Debiais intends to make her voice heard. “I’m the type to fight,” assures the juror with a smile. “It’s a wonderful experience. I am ready to defend my favorite novel and I can’t wait to be able to talk literature with Isabelle Huppert”, the president. Impressive even for the one who “saves lives every day”.
