François-Henri Désérable has won the Renaudot novel prize for Le Palais, published by Gallimard, in the award’s centenary edition. His story follows a young outsider whose knowledge of wine becomes part of a quest for revenge. The jury also announced a shared essay prize for Jean-Paul Enthoven and Christophe Ono-dit-Biot.
The jury of the Renaudot, a French literary prize, chose François-Henri Désérable’s Le Palais for its novel award on 3 November.[1], [2]
Published by Gallimard, it follows a young outsider seeking revenge through his expertise in wine. The journey takes the character through the United States, India and France. Désérable receives the honour in the prize’s centenary edition, succeeding the previous year’s winner, Adélaïde de Clermont-Tonnerre.[1]
The jury made a joint award in the essay category. Jean-Paul Enthoven was recognised for Dictionnaire amoureux du bonheur, issued by Plon. Christophe Ono-dit-Biot shares that honour for L’odyssée de l’Odyssée, published by Grasset. Both essay books received equal recognition in the result announced alongside the novel decision.[1]
Le Palais competed against five other finalists. David Djaïz’s La Méthode came from Stock, while Le Cherche-Midi published Patrice Jean’s Stay Free. Osvalde Lewat was shortlisted for Un corps indocile, issued by Philippe Rey. The remaining novels were Anne Percin’s Eugénie sous les bombes, published by Buchet Chastel, and Marie Petitcuénot’s Heures sauvages, issued by Héloïse d’Ormesson.[1]
