Sandrine Collette Wins 2024 Goncourt des Lycéens for 'Madelaine avant l’Aube'

The jury of French high school students selected Collette’s dark rural novel, which explores themes of survival and societal disruption, from a shortlist of five finalists.

Sandrine Collette’s novel 'Madelaine avant l’Aube' has been awarded the 2024 Goncourt des Lycéens, a prestigious literary prize decided by French high school students.
The book tells the story of a young girl whose arrival in a rural community challenges societal norms, blending dark pastoral themes with a focus on survival and human resilience.
Collette, known for her origins in crime fiction, has shifted to general literature, earning acclaim for her evocative storytelling and exploration of complex emotional landscapes.
Other finalists included Rebecca Lighieri, Thibault de Montaigu, Abdellah Taïa, and Olivier Norek, with works tackling themes such as historical conflict, LGBTQ+ identity, and family dynamics.
The Goncourt des Lycéens, created in 1988, is one of France’s most influential literary prizes, often driving significant book sales and fostering a love of contemporary literature among young readers.