French author Jean-Baptiste Andrea has achieved a milestone that many writers only dream of. His fourth novel, Watching Over Her (or Veiller sur elle in French), has won the 2023 Prix Goncourt, France’s most prestigious literary award. This recognition comes after a journey that began with childhood dreams of writing, despite his parents’ skepticism about the viability of a literary career.
Andrea’s parents, although lovers of art and literature, did not see writing as a practical career path. “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. Nevertheless, he pursued his passion, and his perseverance has paid off. The novel has sold over 700,000 copies in France, 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 another milestone in Andrea’s career.
A Journey Through Film and Literature
Meeting Andrea at the stately Malmaison hotel in Edinburgh, amidst the backdrop of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, he reflects on his path. Initially, Andrea pursued degrees in economics, political science, and business to appease his parents, but his passion for storytelling led him to the film industry. “I love storytelling,” he says. “When you make someone laugh, or cry, it’s fantastic. I love cinema, so I decided to write and make movies.”
Andrea directed and wrote four films over a decade, beginning with the French-British horror film Dead End in 2003. His career in film was promising, leading to a collaboration with Berenice Fugard, then head of acquisitions at Pathe Films, whom he later married. However, disillusionment with the film industry led Andrea to return to his first love: writing novels.
From Rejection to Recognition
Andrea’s first novel, Ma Reine, faced initial rejection from 14 publishers before finding a home with L’Iconoclaste, a boutique publishing house, in 2017. The book won 12 literary prizes and sold well internationally, despite not being translated into English. “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.
His subsequent novels, A Hundred Million Years and a Day and Devils and Saints, were published in quick succession and translated into English. Yet, it is Watching Over Her that has catapulted Andrea into the literary spotlight. Set in early 20th-century Italy, the novel explores themes of love and the moral dilemmas faced by artists during Mussolini’s rise to power.
The Role of the Artist in Society
Andrea’s work often delves into the impact of childhood trauma on adult life, a theme consistent across his novels. “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.
In Watching Over Her, Andrea raises questions about the role of artists in politically turbulent times. “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,” Andrea 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.”
“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.” – Jean-Baptiste Andrea
Living the Dream
Winning the Prix Goncourt has been a significant personal victory for Andrea. “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,” he reflects. Despite the symbolic €10 award accompanying the Prix Goncourt, Andrea emphasizes that personal fulfillment outweighs financial success. “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.”
As Andrea continues to inspire aspiring writers, his story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of staying true to one’s dreams, even in the face of doubt and adversity.
