Swiss novelist Anne-Sophie Subilia has secured a spot among the 18 francophone authors shortlisted for the prestigious Prix Médicis with her latest novel, Glissando, published by Éditions Zoé in Geneva. Exploring the psychological shifts of early motherhood and domestic friction, the Lausanne-based author builds on her previous acclaim, including a 2023 Swiss Literature Award for L’Épouse.
The Bottom Line
- The Publisher: The book is published by independent Geneva-based house Éditions Zoé.
- Key Dates: The second selection drops on October 15, with the final winner announced on November 2.
Mapping the Intimate Vertigo of Parenthood
Among the 18 francophone works chosen by a jury presided over by Pascale Roze—and featuring notable literary figures like Marie Darrieussecq, Anne Garréta, and Andreï Makine—is Anne-Sophie Subilia’s Glissando. Published by the independent Geneva house Éditions Zoé, the novel captures the subtle unraveling of a mother and a couple adjusting to the arrival of a second child.
For Subilia, whose creative footprint spans Lausanne, Berlin, Strasbourg, and Montreal, the nomination underscores a growing international profile. Her 2022 novel L’Épouse earned the Swiss Literature Award in 2023 and captured attention across major French literary prizes, including the Femina and Médicis longlists. In Glissando, protagonist Béa navigates the invisible labor of translation work, childcare, and domestic management, occasionally punctuated by poetic fragments and psychological drifts.
Alongside major Paris imprints, the Prix Médicis first selection highlights boutique presses such as Les Intranquilles, Les Léonides, Elyzad, and Cambourakis. Other francophone contenders on the 18-book list include Anne Godard’s Nous aussi, Thélyson Orélien’s C’était ça, ou mourir, and Véronique Ovaldé’s Vivre sans bonheur et n’en point dépérir.
Musical Metaphors and Publishing Context
The title Glissando borrows its name from music, evoking a continuous slide from one pitch to another. Subilia uses the concept to mimic the wandering, recurring, and bifurcating patterns of human thought under pressure.
| Award Milestone | Date | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| First Selection | September 2026 | 18 francophone novels and 17 foreign novels named by the jury. |
| Second Selection | October 15, 2026 | Narrowed shortlist announced ahead of the final vote. |
| Winner Proclamation | November 2, 2026 | Successor to Emmanuel Carrère’s 2025 win for Kolkhoze. |
Subilia is vying against a packed field of established voices and translated heavyweights, with 17 foreign novels also running concurrently for the prize. Last year, the Médicis went to Emmanuel Carrère for Kolkhoze, published by P.O.L, setting a high bar for cultural impact and media visibility.
Where does Subilia’s exploration of domestic vertigo rank against your favorite literary reads this season? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
