Usually the Goncourts get together to share their favorites, possibly their rants. But statutory issues are rarely on the lunch menu at Drouant. It must be said that the mini-scandal around the selection of the book by François Noudelmann, companion of one of the jury of the prize, has turned into a small affair of state in the land of books and publishing. There are still two weeks Didier Decoin bet on an oral explanation, frank with Camille Laurens, “without being obliged to formalize things”. It seems that the tone changed yesterday at Drouant. Under the expert and legal pen of Françoise Chandernagor, a modification of the statutes of the literary society was voted. Unanimously and without outbursts of voice. It is now clear that the works of the spouses and companions or close relatives of one of the members of the jury, cannot be selected for the prize.
In addition, the members of the jury, who maintain a literary column, will refrain in the future from reviewing a novel which appears in the selection. It went without saying, Didier Decoin, president of Goncourt and Philippe Claudel, secretary general, made sure that this was engraved in statutory marble. First consequence, for its second selection, François Noudelmann’s book comes out of the game. The author is in a way the first collateral damage of the new jurisdiction: dura sed lex… Second consequence: the “dezincification” of Claire Berest’s book in Le Monde by Camille Laurens is, in fact, clearly condemned. Noudelmann leaves the game, but Claire Berest remains selected for the third round of October 26, or even the final stage of November 9, where Philippe Claudel will pronounce the name of the winner of Goncourt 2021. Bernard Pivot will have been the president who handed over the award. order in the house and distanced himself from the powerful publishing houses. Didier Decoin will be the legislator who reinforces the ethics of the price. It needs to be done. It is done.
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