Gaël Faye and Kamel Daoud in the first selection

The surprises are the arrival on the list of a former author of detective novels, Olivier Norek, and the book by Thomas Clerc, a vast stroll in the north of Paris.

The first selection of novels for the Prix Goncourt revealed Tuesday, with 16 titles, includes Gaël Faye and Kamel Daoud, among the stars of this literary rentrée. These two titles were among the most scrutinized, one being the second novel by an author known for the bestseller Small country in 2016, the other having narrowly missed the 2014 Goncourt for Meursault, counter-investigatione.

The surprises are the arrival in the list of a former author of detective novels, Olivier Norek, who this time talks about the Russo-Finnish war of 1940, and of a book that does not resemble a novel, that of Thomas Clerc, a vast stroll in the north of Paris.

The most prestigious French literary prize is to be awarded on November 4, at the Drouant restaurant in Paris, as tradition dictates. Before that, a second selection is planned for October 1, then the names of the four finalists will be revealed on October 22.

The 2024 Goncourt jury will keep the same members as in 2023, but has changed its president. Philippe Claudel was elected to the position in May, succeeding Didier Decoin, while Camille Laurens became secretary general. In June, the Goncourt Academy even pushed back its age limit by five years, to 85, to allow all its members to remain jurors.

Fourteen of the selected titles are also in the running for the Prix Goncourt des lycéens, awarded on November 28, and the Prix Goncourt des prisonniers, presented on December 17.

The first selection

Ruben Barrouk, All the noise of Guéliz (Albin Michel)

Thomas Clerc, Paris Museum of the 21st Century (Midnight Editions)

Sandrine Collette, Madelaine before dawn (JC Lattès)

Kamel Daoud, Houris (Gallimard)

Gael Faye, Jacaranda (Grasset)

Helen Gaudy, Archipelagos (The Olive Tree)

Philippe Jaenada, Casualness is a beautiful thing. (Mialet-Barrault)

Maylis of Kerangal, Day of surf (Vertical)

Etienne Kern, The Better Life (Gallimard)

Emmanuelle Lambert, No respect (Stock)

Rebecca Lighieri, The Lost Boys Club (POL)

Carole Martinez, Sleep your brute sleep (Gallimard)

Thibault of Montaigu, Heart (Albin Michel)

Olivier Norek, The Winter Warriors (Michel Lafon)

Jean-Noel Orengo, You are the Führer’s unhappy love (Grasset)

Abdellah Taia, The Bastion of Tears (Julliard)

The first selection of the 2024 Goncourt des lycéens prize

Ruben Barrouk, All the noise of Guéliz (Albin Michel)
Thomas Clerc, Paris Museum of the 21st Century (Midnight Editions)
Sandrine Collette, Madelaine before dawn (JC Lattès)
Kamel Daoud, Houris (Gallimard)
Helen Gaudy, Archipelagos (The Olive Tree)
Philippe Jaenada, Casualness is a beautiful thing. (Mialet Barrault)
Maylis of Kerangal, Day of surf (Vertical)
Etienne Kern, The Better Life (Gallimard)
Emmanuelle Lambert, No respect (Stock)
Rebecca Lighieri, The Lost Boys Club (POL)
Thibault of Montaigu, Heart (Albin Michel)
Olivier Norek, The Winter Warriors (Michel Lafon)
Jean-Noel Orengo, You are the Führer’s unhappy love (Grasset)
Abdellah Taia, The Bastion of Tears (Julliard)