The French Académie Goncourt has announced a long list on its First Selection for “Le Prix Goncourt” (Goncourt Prize), including 15 novels from different authors.
This prestigious prize is granted by Académie Goncourt to the author of “the best and most imaginative prose work of the year.”
Among the listed on Le Prix Goncourt’s First Selection is 34-years-old Sabyl Ghoussoub, a Lebanese writer, journalist, and photographer.
This gives Ghoussoub the opportunity to secure a leading position in French literature through his novel “Beyrouth Sur Seine,” by competing for one of the most prestigious French prizes.
“Beyrouth Sur Seine” – published by Edition Stock – revolves around family, emotions, and immigration, highlighting the time the narrator decides to ask his parents about their country of origin, Lebanon.
The narrator wants answers as, in 1975, his parents decided to live in Paris for two years at a time when their country started sinking into an endless conflict.
Even after the civil war ended, the political conflict continues to rage, making Lebanon and its capital Beirut become the narrator’s “elsewhere in everyday life.”
Le Prix Goncourt’s jury, composed of 12 members, will announce the second list of the 4 finalists on October 25, 2022.
The finalists will be announced at the literary festival in Beirut, Beyrouth Livres, the first Francophone literary festival, organized by L’Institut français du Liban (French Institute in Lebanon).
Related: Lebanese-French Novelist Amin Maalouf Was Awarded The Park Kyung-ni Literary Prize
