Four finalists have been chosen for the Landerneau Readers' Prize 2026, a literary award that honors French-language novels for their combination of rigor, accessibility, and emotion. The selected books—Ne cherche pas le chaos by Marion Brunet, Nos vies sauvages by Hemley Boum, Chronique d’un royaume perdu by Ananda Devi, and Stay Free by Patrice Jean—were chosen by librarians from the E.Leclerc Cultural Spaces, a network of 232 locations across France. These spaces also host free events such as author meetings, readings, and workshops throughout the year. The finalists will now be evaluated by a jury of 200 readers, led by journalist and novelist Adélaïde de Clermont-Tonnerre, with Michel-Édouard Leclerc also participating in the final decision. The winner will be announced on October 20, 2026, after the jurors have read and discussed the books. Ne cherche pas le chaos by Marion Brunet (Albin Michel) explores themes of family history and the legacy of the Chilean dictatorship. The story follows a young woman who disappears in Chile, prompting her father—an exile for 30 years—to return to the country and confront a hidden past. Nos vies sauvages by Hemley Boum (Gallimard) is set in Cameroon in 2018, focusing on a lawyer imprisoned for opposing the regime. The novel highlights the struggles of resistance, corruption, and the strength of its female characters. Chronique d’un royaume perdu by Ananda Devi (Grasset) spans four generations on the island of Mauritius after the abolition of slavery. The narrative blends reality and fantasy, following five children linked by the same father who discover a refuge kingdom haunted by the violence of the past. Stay Free by Patrice Jean (Le Cherche Midi) is a coming-of-age story set in 1980s Nantes, following three teenagers navigating punk rock, cinema, and the desire for freedom. The novel contrasts youthful aspirations with the constraints of society. Each of the four novels has been published recently, with Ne cherche pas le chaos and Chronique d’un royaume perdu released on August 19, 2026, and Nos vies sauvages and Stay Free on August 20, 2026. The books vary in length and price, ranging from 21.90 euros to 24.00 euros. The Landerneau Readers' Prize has previously honored notable authors such as Laurent Mauvignier, Kamel Daoud, and Alice Zeniter. The winner of this year’s prize will join this list, which includes books that have also received other prestigious awards like the Goncourt Prize. The final deliberation will take place in Paris on October 20, with 12 jurors selected by lottery to participate in the final vote. Their decisions, along with those of the other readers and the two co-chairs, will determine the 2026 winner.