The 2026 literary season is underway. Thirty novels have been shortlisted for this 25th edition of the Fnac Novel Prize, with the aim of succeeding John Boyne, the 2025 winner for *The Elements* (Éditions JC Lattès). A true literary compass, this prize reaffirms Fnac’s unique role as a trendsetter and its unwavering support for the book industry.
Key figures for the 2026 Fnac Novel Prize
For market observers, journalists, and publishing professionals, this award serves as a major trend indicator.
- 30 titles shortlisted for the final round.
- More than 250 novels read and scrutinized since the beginning of summer.
- 800 passionate jurors, ensuring the independence and diversity of the selection.
Behind the Scenes of the Selection Process: An Exceptional Jury
The Fnac Novel Prize stands out for its selection method, which is unique in France. It relies on a large, equally represented jury composed of 400 Fnac booksellers and 400 members.
Over the course of several weeks, these passionate readers get an early look at manuscripts and new releases for the fall season. They write reviews, assign ratings, and debate to identify the 30 most highly acclaimed books.
This dual perspective—combining the specialized expertise of in-store booksellers with the discerning taste of passionate readers—makes the Fnac Novel Prize a seal of quality recognized throughout the book industry.
A Boost to Visibility for Authors
Beyond the award itself, the Fnac Novel Prize offers exceptional visibility to authors. Starting this fall, the 30 novels in the 2026 selection will receive massive promotion:
- Across the entire network of Fnac stores in France.
- On the Fnac.com e-commerce platform.
Each year, this initiative helps bring debut novels to light and propels talented authors into the public eye.
Next step: the finalists will be announced on August 27.
Discover the complete list of the 30 titles in the running for the 2026 selection:
- La Pianiste, Isabelle Amonou, ÉDITIONS DALVA
- Les Maîtres du sol, Ryad Assani-Razaki, ÉDITIONS LIANA LEVI
- Les Filles du 9 juin, Maylis Besserie, ÉDITIONS GRASSET & FASQUELLE
- Lázár, Nelio Biedermann, BELFOND (trad. Rose Labourie)
- Cipango, Jean-Marie Blas de Roblès, ÉDITIONS ZULMA
- Les Porteuses d’eau, Sasha Bonét, LES LÉONIDES (trad. Valérie Le Plouhinec)
- Ne cherche pas le chaos, Marion Brunet, ALBIN MICHEL
- Je suis né dans la tempête, Jérôme Colin, ALLARY ÉDITIONS
- Parle-moi de chez nous, Jeanine Cummins, ÉDITIONS PHILIPPE REY (trad. Christine Auché)
- Totem, François-Régis De Guenyveau, ÉDITIONS PAUVERT
- Le Palais, François-Henri Désérable, ÉDITIONS GALLIMARD
- Rochebrune, Sophie Divry, ÉDITIONS ACTES SUD
- Lola va mourir, Victor Dumiot, ÉDITIONS CALMANN-LÉVY
- Sauf la frontière, Elisa Shua Dusapin, ÉDITIONS ZOÉ
- Je, Lilia Hassaine, ÉDITIONS GALLIMARD
- Ce qui se joue, Caroline Hinault, ÉDITIONS DU ROUERGUE
- Vie et mort d’une mite, Rowe Irvin, ÉDITIONS PAULSEN (trad. Odile Carton)
- Baignade surveillée, Laura Kasischke, ÉDITIONS GALLIMARD (trad. Céline Leroy)
- Tuer le vieux, Daria Marx, ÉDITIONS FLAMMARION
- La Piqûre d’abeille, Paul Murray, ALBIN MICHEL (trad. Pierre Demarty)
- Ici, maintenant, Tom Newlands, ÉDITIONS MÉTAILIÉ (trad. Marguerite Capelle & Anatole Pons-Reumaux)
- Le septième siffleur, Colin Niel, ÉDITIONS DU SEUIL
- Ce qui dort sous le camélia, Claudie O. Wetterwald, ÉDITIONS DU GROS CAILLOU
- C’était ça ou mourir, Thélyson Orélien, ÉDITIONS GRASSET & FASQUELLE
- Eugénie sous les bombes, Anne Percin, ÉDITIONS BUCHET-CHASTEL
- Heures sauvages, Marie Petitcuénot, ÉDITIONS HÉLOÏSE D’ORMESSON
- Un Marché noir, Bérénice Pichat, LES AVRILS
- Fille de, Anne Pitteloud, ÉDITIONS FINITUDE
- Les Trois Rivières, Tiffany Quay Tyson, SONATINE ÉDITIONS (trad. Héloïse Esquié)
- Les noms de Feliza, Juan Gabriel Vásquez, ÉDITIONS DU SEUIL (trad. Isabelle Gugnon
