Published on Nov 7, 2023 at 6:25 p.m.
We know nothing of Jean-Baptiste Andrea’s pugilistic skills but winning a fight in the fourteenth round deserves respect. Armed with their silver-gilt cutlery engraved with their name, the jurors must have been gutted.
The FNAC Novel Prize was not the favorite of the Prix Goncourt. Of course, the ladies of Femina had pulled the rug out from under the feet of the jurors by electing Neige Sinno and her impressive story of incest the day before.
But there remained two strong rivals with Eric Reinhardt, whose publisher thought he was asserting his rights, and Gaspard Koenig, whose “Humus”, the first earthy and joyful novel, had won over the critics and us. In addition to her talent, Andrea demonstrated her strength and tenacity with “Veille sur elle”, a 600-page fresco.
Since the start of the school year (France lives to the rhythm of back to school and school holidays), he has sold 56,000. The score is remarkable, enough to woo the Goncourts; they like to fly to the aid of victory.
It is also for a “new” person in the profession. Andrea, 52, waited until she was 46 to publish her first novel. Fourteen is definitely his number. Fourteen publishers had refused “Ma Reine” before Sophie de Sivry, founder of L’Iconoclaste, accepted it and the book won the high school students’ Femina. “Watch over her” is his fourth novel.
For Les Echos, he is “The enchanter”, Le Figaro evokes Dumas and Le Monde, the two Jules: Renard and Vallès. The Inrocks are wearing it out, that’s a good sign. His mother, a pied-noir family from Cannes, must be happy.
She told him: “At 46, it’s time for you to find a real job, your diplomas will end up being worthless.” Until then his son, ESCP, Sciences-Po, was a screenwriter. We understand you Madam.
Click here to find the complete gallery of “In sight”
