Nathacha Appanah Wins Femina 2025 Prize for “La Nuit au Coeur
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Nathacha Appanah Wins 2025 Femina Prize for “night in the Heart”
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Mauritian novelist Nathacha Appanah has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Femina Prize for her novel, La nuit au coeur (Night in the heart), a powerful exploration of male violence and its impact on women. The award was announced on November 3, 2025, at the Carnavalet-Histoire museum in Paris.
Published by Gallimard in August 2025, La nuit au coeur was selected by an all-female jury of twelve members. the novel also appears on the shortlists for the Goncourt and Renaudot prizes, with the Médicis prize announcement following shortly after.
About “Night in the Heart”
La nuit au coeur delves into the interconnected lives of three women grappling with the consequences of male violence. The novel’s exploration of trauma, resilience, and the complexities of female relationships resonated deeply with the Femina jury. Details regarding the specific plot points and characters are currently limited pending wider critical reviews, but the thematic focus is clear.
The novel’s selection highlights a growing recognition within French literary circles of works addressing social issues and offering nuanced portrayals of female experiences.
The Femina Prize: A History of Literary Recognition
The Femina Prize, established in 1905, is a highly respected french literary award. originally created as a counterpoint to the predominantly male-dominated Goncourt Prize,the Femina Prize is awarded annually to a work of fiction written in French. The jury is exclusively composed of female writers and critics.
Historically, the prize has championed diverse voices and literary styles. Past winners include prominent authors such as Marguerite Duras, Françoise Sagan, and Annie Ernaux. Winning the Femina Prize often translates into significant sales and critical acclaim,boosting an author’s profile both domestically and internationally.
| Year | Winner | Title (English Translation) |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Camille de Toledo | The second Life |
| 2023 | Alice Zeniter | The Great Circle |
| 2022 | Leïla slimani | The Country of Others |
Source: Prix Femina – History
2025 Shortlist and Competition
La nuit au coeur emerged victorious from a strong shortlist of contenders, demonstrating the high quality of contemporary French literature.The other novels nominated for the 2025 Femina prize where:
- The Empty House by Laurent Mauvignier
- Au grand éclair by Jakuta Alikavazovic
- Un mal irreparable by Lionel Duroy
- The world is tired by joseph Incardona
The fact that Appanah’s novel is also shortlisted for