Emmanuel Carrère Wins 2025 Médicis Prize for 'Kolkhoze'

The prestigious 2025 Médicis Prize was awarded to Emmanuel Carrère for his book 'Kolkhoze', which delves into his mother’s family history in Georgia and Russia, set against the backdrop of the Ukraine conflict. The prize ceremony took place at La Méditerranée near Paris’s Odéon Theatre on November 5, 2025. Carrère’s work has been recognized as an affectionate, therapeutic exploration of familial themes, despite mixed reactions from relatives.

Carrère’s career spans four decades, during which he has published 17 books and 21 screenplays, gaining fame for introducing "narrative non-fiction" in France—a style that blends storytelling with journalistic depth. Though a favorite in literary circles, he was notably excluded from the Goncourt and the Grand Prix du Roman shortlist this year before receiving the Médicis Prize, underlining his enduring literary significance.

Other winners included Nina Allan, who took the foreign novel prize for "Bons Voisins," and Fabrice Gabriel, awarded the essay prize for "Au cinéma Central." The ceremony’s jury was chaired by Pascale Roze and included prominent literary figures. Since its founding in 1958, the Médicis Prize has honored francophone literary talent, celebrating innovative contributions to contemporary literature.

Carrère succeeds Julia Deck, the previous Médicis laureate, continuing a lineage of celebrated authors. His latest book, 'Kolkhoze,' has been praised for combining rich personal narrative with broader historical insight, firmly establishing his status among France's top literary talents.