French author Jean-Baptiste Andrea has achieved what many aspiring writers only dream of: winning the prestigious Prix Goncourt. His journey to this pinnacle of literary success, however, was not without its challenges. From a young age, Andrea harbored dreams of becoming a writer, but his parents were skeptical. Despite their love for literature, they did not see writing as a viable career. “They said that writers die in poverty. My mother said you have to be a god to write a book, and that I was not a god,” Andrea recalls.
Fortunately, Andrea chose to follow his passion. His fourth novel, Watching Over Her (originally Veiller sur elle in French), has not only won the 2023 Prix Goncourt but also sold over 700,000 copies in France alone. The novel has been translated into more than 34 languages and is set to be adapted for the screen. The English-language version has recently been released, marking a significant milestone in Andrea’s career.
From Screenwriter to Novelist
Andrea and I meet at the Malmaison Hotel in Edinburgh, where both of us are attending the Edinburgh International Book Festival. The sound of bagpipes fills the air as we discuss his journey from screenwriting to novel writing. In 1996, Andrea completed two university degrees—one in economics and political science, and another in business—to appease his parents. He then embarked on a career in film, writing scripts and directing movies.
“I love storytelling,” Andrea says. “When you make someone laugh, or cry, it’s fantastic. I love cinema, so I decided to write and make movies.” His first film, Dead End, a French-British horror film released in 2003, was a success and launched his career. However, after a decade in the film industry, Andrea grew disillusioned and decided to pursue his original passion for writing books.
The Birth of a Literary Career
Andrea’s transition to novelist was not without its hurdles. His first manuscript, Ma Reine, faced 14 rejections before being published by L’Iconoclaste, a boutique publishing house, in 2017. The novel won 12 literary prizes and was translated into 15 languages, marking the beginning of Andrea’s literary success. “I had finished 2016 with minus €5000 in the bank, and a mortgage. Suddenly, Ma Reine was translated into 15 languages and I had €50,000 from international sales alone,” Andrea shares.
Andrea quickly followed up with three more novels: A Hundred Million Years and a Day in 2019, Devils and Saints in 2021, and his latest, Watching Over Her, in 2023. The latter has propelled him to new heights in the literary world.
Exploring Themes of Love and Integrity
Watching Over Her is set in Italy during the first half of the 20th century and follows the love story of Mimo, a poor Italian boy who becomes a renowned sculptor, and Viola, the daughter of an aristocratic family. Their romance unfolds against the backdrop of Mussolini’s rise to power and the complicity of the church and aristocracy. The novel raises questions about the role of the artist in society, particularly during turbulent political times.
Andrea is clear about his views on this issue. “I don’t think artists should get directly involved in politics. The role of the artist is to show the past, so we don’t repeat the same mistakes, or to show the way to a better future,” he asserts. “Festivals should be about art. We (artists) can share our vision, but we must be careful. I think artists should work hard, shut up and do their talking through their books.”
Reflections on Childhood and Artistic Pursuits
In each of his novels, Andrea delves into the impact of a traumatic childhood on adult life. “The origin of all evil is in childhood. That’s when trauma happens that you can’t recover from. The lack of love as a child should never be underestimated,” he explains. This theme resonates deeply in his work, reflecting his own experiences and insights.
Reflecting on his Prix Goncourt win, Andrea expresses a profound sense of fulfillment. “The day I walked into L’Iconoclaste’s office, I felt I could finally be me, professionally. I had found a place that I had been looking for forever, and that gave me a deep sense of security, satisfaction, and joy. Now I live in that place every single day,” he says.
Andrea’s first words to the media at the Drouant restaurant in Paris, where the Goncourt jury convenes, were a message of hope to aspiring writers. “To all the kids who think they want to be writers or artists and think they can’t make it, I’m the proof that you can,” he declared.
As Andrea reflects on how the Prix Goncourt has changed his life, he emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself. “At the end of the day, on the day I die, the Goncourt and my sales don’t matter. What matters is: ‘Have I been true to myself and my childhood dream?’ The answer is ‘Yes’. It’s all there in my books.”
