Breton Novelist adélaïde de Clermont-Tonnerre Wins Renaudot prize,Father “Stunned” by news
PARIS – adélaïde de Clermont-Tonnerre,a Breton novelist and journalist,was awarded the prestigious Renaudot Prize today for her fourth work,a fictionalized reimagining of the life of Milady de Winter from Alexandre Dumas‘ The Three Musketeers. The proclamation marks a high point in the career of the 40-year-old author, whose family has deep roots in Plouégat-Guérand, Brittany, where her father currently serves as mayor.
De Clermont-Tonnerre’s win comes alongside the Goncourt Prize, solidifying her place among France’s leading literary figures. She has also contributed as a columnist too various television programs. The Renaudot essay prize was awarded to Alfred de Montesquiou for “The Twilight of Men.”
News of the award visibly moved her father, renaud de Clermont-Tonnerre, who told Le Télégramme he was “completely overwhelmed.” ”When I heard it was Adelaide, I was stunned.I am very proud of her. I must admit that I am stunned by all of this,” he saeid. He recounted a long-standing dynamic, noting, “When Adelaide was very young, people asked her who she was in relation to me. For about fifteen years, people have asked me who I am in relation to her…”
The author herself has yet to speak directly with her father, sending a congratulatory message but finding her unreachable amidst the flurry of attention.she anticipates being able to connect with him tomorrow morning, while her mother is expected to join her in Paris this evening. de Clermont-Tonnerre maintains strong ties to both Touraine, where her mother and brother Hadrien reside, and Brittany, returning to the region annually.