The 2024 Prix Fitzgerald literary award was presented to Joyce Carol Oates on June 7 at the Hôtel Belles Rives, the iconic hotel in Juan-les-Pins where F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote Tender is the Night.
Oates was on hand Friday to accept the accolade for her novel, 48 Clues into the Disappearance of My Sister (October 2023; Philippe Rey), “the story of a woman named Georgina Fulmer, who is searching for her missing sister, Marguerite Fulmer. The narrative explores themes of sibling rivalry and the mysteries surrounding Marguerite’s disappearance through a series of clues and emotional revelations.”
In her acceptance speech the American writer thanked the jurors, and Marianne Estène-Chauvin for “the privilege of being a guest at this fabled place, so commemorated by F. Scott Fitzgerald in the very site in which the 1926, nearly a century ago, Fitzgerald spoke of experiencing ‘strange, precious, and all too transitory moments, when everything in one’s life seems to be going well,’ so I think I will end on that note. Transitory moments when everything in life seems to be going well.”
Oates, who was first published in 1963 for a short-story collection By the North Gate and has since written 70 novels, was up against some of the year’s biggest works of literature – Ian McEwan’s Lessons (October 2023, Gallimard); Irene Manuel’s Villas (January 2024; Du Sous-Sol); Christian Kracht’s Eurotrash (January 2024, Denoël); and Caroline O’Donoghue’s The Rachel Incident, published January 2024 Mercure de France). The five titles were French-language editions.
Marianne Estène-Chauvin created the French literary award in 2011 to honour a novel or short story that embodies “the elegance, wit, taste for style, and art of living of the American writer Francis Scott Fitzgerald.” At yesterday’s award ceremony, she commented, “Joyce Carol Oates’ ability to weave intricate and compelling narratives is unmatched. Her exploration of the human psyche and relationships, particularly in 48 Clues into the Disappearance of My Sister, exemplifies the elegance and depth that the Fitzgerald Prize seeks to honour.” Estène-Chauvin is also President of the Francis Scott Fitzgerald Academy and owner of the Belles Rives.
Recent winners have included Quentin Tarantino (#1 New York Times bestselling Once Upon a Time in Hollywood), who personally accepted the Prix Fitzgerald in 2023 for his work Cinema Speculation, as well as Jonathan Dee, Jeffrey Eugenides, Jay McInerney, Christopher Bollen and William Boyd.
Members of the jury selected the nominees in March. The French jury was led by journalist Bertrand de Saint Vincent, deputy director of Le Figaro and literary columnist. Members were radio journalist Daphné Roulier-De Caunes; author of the unauthorized biography Le N°5 de Chanel, Marie-Dominique Lelièvre; Figaro film critic Eric Neuhoff; L’Obseditor-in-chief, François Armane; literary critic Fréderic Beigbeder; Le Point deputy editorChristophe Ono; and actress Hélène Fillières.
The ceremony wrapped up with a Writers’ Dinner held in the exclusive Cap d’Antibes setting.
Article first published June 8, 2024. Photos: Gregoire Bernardi/AP Content Services for Hôtel Belles Rives.
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