The 2024 Montaigne Literary Prize is awarded to François-Henri Désérable for his book The wear and tear of a world – A crossing of Iran, published by Gallimard. The Montaigne Prize rewards each year an essay sharing “values of humanism, tolerance and freedom, dear to the famous writer Michel de Montaigne »mayor of Bordeaux from 1581 to 1585.
In November 2022, the writer spends 40 days in Iran. Protests multiply after student’s death Mahsa Amini, who opposed the compulsory wearing of the Hijab. A popular uprising despite the repression carried out by the Islamic Republic. François-Henri Désérable crosses the country and testifies to the imbalance between the violence of the forces serving power and the demonstrators armed only with their voices. Now sold more than 33,000 copies (sources GFK) since its release in May 2023, this real success will be released in paperback on September 5.
François-Henri Désérable began writing at the age of 18, alongside his career as a professional hockey player. He is the author of several other works published by Gallimard, including You will show my face to the people (2013), Évariste (2015), A certain Mr.Piekielny (2017), and My master and my conqueror in 2021, winner of the Grand Prix du roman of the French Academy.
Great wines as a reward
In addition to the Montaigne literary prize, François-Henri Désérable also won the Nicolas Bouvier and Roman News 2023 prizes for his Persian essay.
The jury, chaired by Xavier Darcoschancellor of the Institut de France, is composed of Pierre Mazet, Nicolas de Bailliencourt, Jean-Pierre de Beaumarchais, Marguerite Figeac-Monthus, Patrice Gueniffey, Yves Harte, Robert Kopp, Aurélie Labruyère, Mathilde Peyrou, Jean-Marie Planes, Jean-Pierre Poussou And Mathilde Royer de la Bastie-Chevalier.
François-Henri Désérable will have to set up, in addition to a very certain library and a trophy cabinet, a cellar to store the 20 cases of great Bordeaux wines offered to the winner. He succeeds Daniel Cohen2023 winner for Homo Numericus – The Coming Civilizationpublished by Albin Michel.
