The longlists for the 2024 Goncourt and Renaudot Prizes feature five African authors, reports Francophone literary platform Afrolivresque.

Houris by Kamel Daoud (Algeria) published by Gallimard, Jacaranda by Gaël Faye (Rwanda) published by Grasset, and Le Bastion des larmes by Abdellah Taïa (Morocco) published by Julliard are among the 16 novels on the Goncourt longlist. Also worth mentioning is Ruben Barrouk whose novel Tout le bruit du Guéliz is set in Marrakech.

For the Renaudot Prize longlist, which includes 18 novels and 11 essays, Le Rêve du Pêcheur by Hemley Boum (Cameroon) and Houris both published by Galliard. There is also Faye’s Jacaranda and La Symphonie Atlantique by Hubert Haddad (Tunisia) published by Zulma. Hewa Rwanda Lettre aux Absents by Rwanda writer Dorcy Rugamba is on the essay longlist.

These works continue a growing trend of African literary representation in the French literary scene. Senegalese author Mohamed Mbougar Sarr made history in 2021 as the first Black African to win the Goncourt Prize, and his victory at just 31 years old made him the youngest winner in five decades.

This year marks the 122nd anniversary of the Goncourt Prize and the 98th for the Renaudot Prize. They prestigious literary awards in the French-speaking world. Despite being separate honors, the Goncourt and Renaudot prizes have become intertwined over the years. They share a history and even hold their award ceremonies together.

Francophone literary platform Afrolivresque reports that the next stage of the Goncourt Prize selection will take place on October 1st and 22nd, with the final winner announced on November 4th at the traditional ceremony alongside the Renaudot Prize. The Renaudot Prize will announce its shortlist on October 3rd, with the final announcement on November 4th as well.

Congrats to the longlisted authors!