As this year’s winner of the Prix du Roman Fnac (Fnac literary awards) with Les âmes féroces (The Fierce Souls), her second novel published by Éditions de L’Olivier, Marie Vingtras succeeds Jean-Baptiste Andrea, who won the award in 2023 for Veiller sur elle (Watching Over Her) published by Éditions de l’Iconoclaste. Since 2002, the Prix du Roman Fnac shortlist, compiled by 400 booksellers and 400 Fnac members, has been spotlighting talent and guiding readers through the new releases of the literary year. Fnac, which is celebrating its seventieth birthday this year, reinforces its unwavering support for literature and publishing through this shortlist and the accompanying award.
The jury of the Prix du Roman Fnac first selected the top four novels from the list of 30 books shortlisted for this twenty-third edition:
- Les merveilles (Great Wonder) by Viola Ardone, translated into French by Laura Brignon — ALBIN MICHEL
- Badjens by Delphine Minoui — SEUIL
- Les âmes féroces by Marie Vingtras — ÉDITIONS DE L’OLIVIER
- La Petite Bonne (The Maid) by Bérénice Pichat — LES AVRILS
Spotlight on Marie Vingtras
Born in Rennes, France, in 1972, Marie Vingtras is an attorney. After more than 20 years of recounting other peoples’ experiences, she finally decided to tell her own stories, situating them in a world that is radically different from that of the day-to-day rhythm of the legal sphere. Her first novel, Blizzard, published in 2021, has already garnered attention and was shortlisted for several awards.
Powerful, Immersive Writing
Les âmes féroces depicts nature at its most rugged and untamed. The book highlights the strength of human relationships when confronted by the scars of the past. Captivating, surprising and with a vast narrative scope, Les âmes féroces hunts down the dark side in all of us.
Marie Vingtras will receive her award at a special ceremony on September 24 at the Fnac des Ternes in Paris.
