For the first time, students in Britain will be judges for France’s top literary prize, the Goncourt. Participants in the Goncourt britannique will read the four books on the October Goncourt shortlist. They will meet to discuss the books and choose their winner within their university panel. In December, delegates from different universities will meet in London and select the overall winner of the Goncourt britannique. Oxford students wishing to be part of the award panel should be ready to read up to four novels in French over a period of 4-6 weeks from the end of October onwards, and before the final award meeting. This will take place on December 13th with Professor Dame Marina Warner and Didier Decoin to lead the discussions. They will be followed by the proclamation of results and reception at the French Ambassador’s residence in London.

If you are interested in being one of the Oxford participants, whatever your degree course, please get in touch with Catriona Seth, the Marshal Foch Professor of French Literature: Catriona.Seth@mod-langs.ox.ac.uk

If you want to know more about the other Choix Goncourt around the world, you can go to the website of the Académie: https://www.academiegoncourt.com/choix-goncourt-a-l-etranger.