Officially launched by Her Majesty Queen Camilla and Madame Brigitte Macron during King Charles III’s State Visit to France in 2023, the Entente Littéraire Prize celebrates the cultural dialogue between France and the United Kingdom through literature and translation. It encourages the sharing of reading experiences between French and British audiences and highlights the essential role played by translators in bringing works, ideas and imaginations across linguistic and cultural borders.
For its second edition, the Prize distinguishes two categories of works:
- a work originally written in French and published in France, translated into English and published in the United Kingdom;
- a work originally written in English and published in the United Kingdom, translated into French and published in France.
Two prizes will therefore be awarded and they will reward both the author and the translator.
A Selection Proposed by the Jury
This year, the longlist directly reflects the choices of the jury: each of its six members was invited to put forward two titles, together forming a selection of twelve books.
The Franco-British jury is made up of two panels of three members.
The French panel is chaired by writer Philippe Claudel, alongside Leïla Slimani and Augustin Trapenard.
The British panel is chaired by novelist and President of the Royal Society of Literature Elif Shafak, alongside Ken Follett and Hollie McNish.
Their Selection
Works originally written in French and published in France, translated into English and published in the United Kingdom
- The Deserters by Mathias Énard. Translated by Charlotte Mandell. Published by Fitzcarraldo Editions
- Collapse by Édouard Louis. Translated by Tash Aw. Published by Harvill
- The Witch by Marie NDiaye. Translated by Jordan Stump. Published by MacLehose Press
- Small Boat by Vincent Delecroix. Translated by Helen Stevenson. Published by Hope Road
- Tata by Valérie Perrin. Translated by Hildegarde Serle. Published by Europa Editions
- Madelaine before the Dawn by Sandrine Collette. Translated by Alison Anderson. Published by Europa Editions
Works originally written in English and published in the United Kingdom, translated into French and published in France
- Nos Soirées by Alan Hollinghurst. Translated by David Fauquemberg. Published by Gallimard
- Hamlet le long du mur by Isabella Hammad. Translated by Josée Kamoun. Published by Gallimard
- Caledonian Road by Andrew O’Hagan. Translated by Céline Schwaller. Published by Métailié
- Éclaircie by Carys Davies. Translated by David Fauquemberg. Published by La Table Ronde
- Je suis Fan by Sheena Patel. Translated by Marie Darrieussecq. Published by Gallimard
- Pitié by Andrew McMillan. Translated by Laurent Trèves. Published by Grasset
The shortlist of six finalists — three in each category — will be announced in October, ahead of the prize ceremony in November.
The Jury Chairs
Elif Shafak said: “Work in translation is of the utmost importance. When we read a book, for a few hours, for a few days, we journey into the existence of another human being. That is both an enriching and a humbling exercise for the human soul, and I think we need to make that journey as often as we can. I am delighted to work alongside this distinguished panel to celebrate writers and translators.”
Philippe Claudel said: “Reading means reaching out to others, into their intimacy, their richness, their complexity, their difference. Reading means agreeing to look at things we can’t or don’t want to see, questioning ourselves, understanding that we are not alone, and that our opinions, our beliefs, our certainties can be challenged – for our own good, for the good of our humanity. And when reading transports us beyond our borders, beyond our culture or our language, the enrichment is all the greater. I am proud to be chairing this second Prix de l’Entente Littéraire: the word ‘entente’ encompasses both the idea of listening and that of harmony. What could be more beautiful? Thank you to the authors and translators, those purveyors of words! Books unite us just as much as they mark us out. My faith in them is unshakeable.”