fancy molassesthe first novel by Francis Ouellette, won the 20e Literary prize for college students. nes (this is how the name of the award is now spelled), awarded each year to a work in French by a Canadian author.
The 62 CEGEP students and members of the national jury revealed their choices during the Salon du livre de Québec. Some 800 students had read and discussed the five finalist books: morel by Maxime Raymond Bock Sailors can’t swim by Dominique Scali, The thread of life by Elisa Pepin, Take away the night by Monique Proulx and the grand prize-winner, fancy molasses by Francis Ouellette.
The writer thus receives a scholarship of $5,000 in addition to his prestigious distinction. The Literary Prize allows thousands of young people across the province to discover contemporary Quebec works, thanks in particular to the work of dozens of teachers.
“It is an immense privilege to be able to address the college student population. After all, it is the future generation of readers who will be responsible for keeping Quebec’s literary health alive. That these students choose my book is a disproportionate honor, ”he said in a press release from the Intercollegiate Network of Sociocultural Activities of Quebec, which oversees the Prize.