The author of the first novel AsbestosSébastien Dulude, was among the 12 novels selected on Monday for the Wepler-Fondation La Poste prize in France.
Last year, another first Quebec novel caught the attention of the jury of this prize which, since 1998, has rewarded “an unclassifiable contemporary literary work” – namely The account is correct, by Louis-Daniel Godin. Like Asbestosthis one had been published by La Peuplade.
Published in August in Quebec and Europe, Asbestos is inspired by the author’s childhood in Thetford Mines in the 1980s. It has also appeared on other price lists in France, including the price The World and the Première plume prize, which was won by Éric Chacour last year.
The winners of the Wepler-Fondation La Poste prize and the jury’s special mention will be announced on November 11, and will succeed Elisa Shua Dusapin for The Old Fire (Zoé) and Arthur Dreyfus for The third hand (POL).