Swiss-Italian author wins top French literary prize
The Kremlin: the heart of the political machinations in da Empoli’s novel.
Keystone / Maxim Shipenkov
Giuliano da Empoli has won the French Academy’s prestigious Grand Prix du Roman for “Le Mage du Kremlin” (“The Wizard of the Kremlin”), a novel about the inner workings of Vladimir Putin’s regime.
This content was published on
1 minute
Keystone-SDA/dos
Español
es
Un autor ítalo-suizo gana el principal premio literario francés
The novel, published in April this year, takes the form of a long monologue by a fictional spin doctor working for Putin, Vadim Baranov. Baranov is in turn based on real-life advisor Vladislav Surkov, a co-founder of the United Russia party in 2001.
Swiss-Italian da Empoli, who was born in Paris, was himself once a political advisor to former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. “Le Mage du Kremlin” is his first novel.
Workings of power
Speaking to the press on Thursday, da Empoli said the book was “really imbued with a certain form of French literature, which has long had its place in the French Academy, and which dissects power, which observes it”.
Da Empoli’s book is also one of four finalists in the running for the equally prestigious Prix Goncourt, the results of which are to be announced on November 3.
The last Swiss winner of the Grand Prix du Roman was Joël Dicker 10 years ago, for “The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair”. The award comes with prize pot of €10,000 (CHF9,900).
More
More
Bestselling Swiss author Joël Dicker tries his hand at self-publishing
This content was published on
Joël Dicker, who has enjoyed huge international success, has set up his own publishing firm. Other writers have turned to self-publishing online.
Media: Swiss medical services done abroad are billed at Swiss rates
This content was published on
In Switzerland, some medical services carried out abroad are still billed at Swiss rates, despite costing less, RTS reports.
This content was published on
Sophie Hediger, a member of the Swiss national snowboard cross team, has died in an avalanche in Arosa. She was 26 years old.
This content was published on
Several Swiss films exceeded the 100,000 admissions mark worldwide in 2024 and received widespread praise at international film festivals.
Swiss Alpine resorts covered in white gold for Christmas
This content was published on
Many areas at low altitudes in Switzerland are enjoying a blanket of snow. In the mountains, intense precipitation has delighted skiers.
SWISS makes emergency landing in Austria after smoke in cockpit
This content was published on
Swiss International Airlines (SWISS) made an emergency landing of an Airbus in Graz, Austria on Monday evening after engine problems.
L’Oréal acquires South Korean subsidiary of Migros’ cosmetics brand
This content was published on
French cosmetics firm L'Oréal is acquiring Gowoonsesang Cosmetics, the South Korean subsidiary of the Migros-owned Mibelle group, for an undisclosed sum.
This content was published on
The 2019 Nobel Prize for Literature went to Austrian writer Peter Handke. One hundred years ago it was Swiss poet Carl Spitteler who won the award.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.