The Quebec writer is the winner of the Prix des cinq continents de la francophonie 2022 thanks to her novel Take away the nightpublished by Boreal editions.
On the sidelines of this prize offered by the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), Monique Proulx is awarded a scholarship of 15,000 euros ($21,800). The OIF will also allow the winner to participate in various literary events over the coming year.
“A young man wanting to tear himself away from his religious community, rigorous and autarkic, sets out to discover the modern world in a North American metropolis. In this world unknown to him, he will discover both contemporary cruelty and the urgency of solidarity. A story that holds us by the singularity of its language and by the texture of its characters. The words have an unexpected depth, the situations are lived at the height of “a man with nothing”. Sorrow, desire, naivety, light and hope: everything is there to sing the novel of an era”, noted the International Jury, chaired by Paula Jacques.
The award ceremony will take place on the sidelines of the International Day of La Francophonie, during the month of March.
Note that Monique Proulx has already won the Prix des libraires du Québec and the Prix Québec-Paris for her novel Invisible man at the window (Boreal).