The Médicis Prize, a prestigious French literary award, has revealed its initial shortlist of books, with novels by Anne Godard, Thélyson Orélien, and Véronique Ovaldé among the first selections. The jury, led by novelist Pascale Roze and including notable authors such as Marie Darrieussecq, Anne Garréta, and Andreï Makine, chose 18 French-language books and 17 international titles. The second round of selections will be announced on October 15, with the final prize winners to be revealed on November 2. This year's list highlights a diverse range of voices and publishing houses, including smaller, independent presses like Les Intranquilles, Les Léonides, Elyzad, and Cambourakis. Among the French-language novels on the list are works by established and emerging authors, including Lucie Bérard, Boris Bergmann, Simon Chevrier, Diaty Diallo, Sophie Divry, and others. The selection also features several titles that are being considered for other major awards, such as the Goncourt and Femina prizes. For example, Anne Godard’s Nous aussi and Thélyson Orélien’s C'était ça ou mourir are both vying for recognition in multiple literary competitions. The international section of the shortlist includes authors from a wide range of countries and backgrounds, such as Eva Baltasar from Iceland, Lavinia Braniste from Romania, and Juan Gabriel Vásquez from Colombia. These works represent a variety of literary styles and themes, reflecting the global reach of the Médicis Prize. The inclusion of these international authors underscores the prize's commitment to promoting diverse voices in literature. The Médicis Prize has a history of recognizing both emerging and established authors, with past winners including Emmanuel Carrère, whose novel Kolkhoze won in 2025. This year’s selections continue that tradition, offering readers a glimpse into the most compelling and innovative works of the current literary landscape. As the competition progresses, readers and critics alike will be watching closely to see which titles will ultimately be honored with the prize.