For any Francophone book nerd there is nothing more exciting than la rentrée littéraire in September – except la rentrée littéraire in January. It’s a time of literary madness where hundreds of books are being released at the same time and thousands of book prizes are being awarded.
Each year, around the end of August, you can read, hear or watch in the media a piece about la rentrée littéraire. Most of the time, journalists focus on the number of books released (“only” 466 in 2023, far behind 2010 with over 700 books). Otherwise, it’s an interview with a big name, like Amélie Nothomb, who is releasing Psychopompe, her 32nd book in as many years. For journalists and influencers, it’s a time to shine and prove you deserve the money or free books you get. That is why all of them will, in the most assertive way, write or yell they have found the most poetic/powerful/heartbreaking (basically any adjective works) book of la rentrée littéraire.
The madness apart, it is always an exciting time if you enjoy reading. It means more time spent at your local bookstore or library. You can either enjoy your favorite writer’s new book, discover new voices, or see if former first-published authors became more than a seasonal success. If you have a tight budget, you can even find books from the last rentrée, since they are released in “pocket version” (format poche) a year after the hardcover.
It is by far the most prestigious prize you can get and the one that will make you rich. On average, a Goncourt prize winner will sell around 500,000 copies. There is still hope if you lose. Between 2,000 and 5,000 prizes are being awarded in France every year, a ridiculous amount considering most people only know a dozen of them (for example le Renaudot, le Fémina, le Médicis, le prix du roman de l’Académie Française...). The other ones are just a way to have a red stripe on your book saying you won something. At least, everyone seems to get a prize, which is always a good way to sell as Christmas approaches.
Each year, around the end of August, you can read, hear or watch in the media a piece about la rentrée littéraire. Most of the time, journalists focus on the number of books released (“only” 466 in 2023, far behind 2010 with over 700 books). Otherwise, it’s an interview with a big name, like Amélie Nothomb, who is releasing Psychopompe, her 32nd book in as many years. For journalists and influencers, it’s a time to shine and prove you deserve the money or free books you get. That is why all of them will, in the most assertive way, write or yell they have found the most poetic/powerful/heartbreaking (basically any adjective works) book of la rentrée littéraire.
The madness apart, it is always an exciting time if you enjoy reading. It means more time spent at your local bookstore or library. You can either enjoy your favorite writer’s new book, discover new voices, or see if former first-published authors became more than a seasonal success. If you have a tight budget, you can even find books from the last rentrée, since they are released in “pocket version” (format poche) a year after the hardcover.
And the winner is...
The excitement reaches its peak when November approaches. Every year (since 1903), le prix Goncourt, the equivalent of the Pulitzer prize, is awarded at this time of year. The announcement of the winner, in front of a restaurant called Chez Drouant, is followed by all the media, and the streets around are almost in lockdown for the occasion. Marcel Proust, André Malraux, Elsa Triolet (first woman to receive it in 1943), Romain Gary (twice, even if it’s technically impossible, since the rules say you can only be awarded once), Patrick Modiano or Michel Houellebecq, they all received it.It is by far the most prestigious prize you can get and the one that will make you rich. On average, a Goncourt prize winner will sell around 500,000 copies. There is still hope if you lose. Between 2,000 and 5,000 prizes are being awarded in France every year, a ridiculous amount considering most people only know a dozen of them (for example le Renaudot, le Fémina, le Médicis, le prix du roman de l’Académie Française...). The other ones are just a way to have a red stripe on your book saying you won something. At least, everyone seems to get a prize, which is always a good way to sell as Christmas approaches.
Books, books, books!
This year you will find books by Sorj Chalandon, Eric Reinhardt, Jean-Philippe Toussaint, Amélie Nothomb, Laurent Binet, Fatou Diome and some newcomers like Alice Renard, Eden Levin, Joséphine Tassy... A selection of books has been ordered; they will be very soon on the shelves at the French Library. It is your time to shine and let us know who you think will be the winner this year. Hurry, this whole madness starts over in January with a new rentrée littéraire.
Benoit Landon
Librarian
After studying journalism in France, Benoit began his career in Paris where he lived and worked for over a decade. In 2018, he crossed the Atlantic for a research project on a typewriter he bought at a flea market. He ended up in Hartford, Connecticut, where he met his wife by accident. Many administrative forms later, he settled in Greater Boston. As an avid reader, Benoit is delighted to be surrounded by books and to stay in touch with the French culture he loves. Come say hello at the circulation desk!
