French cartoonist Nine Antico’s Dupuis-published graphic novel Madones et Putains [Madonnas and Whores] received the comics class of the 2023 version of French tradition journal Les Inrockuptibles’ annual literary prize, Prix Littéraire Les Inrockuptibles.
The graphic novel, which focuses on the lives of three twentieth century Italian ladies, named after saints however confronted by the warped societal values of their time beat a aggressive ten work shortlist that additionally included the French editions of Kate Beaton’s Ducks: Two Years within the Oil Sands (Environnement Toxique, trans. Alice Marchand, Casterman); Nick Drnaso’s Acting Class (trans. Renaud Cerqueux, Presque Lune Éditions); and Keigo Shinzo’s Hirayasumi vol 1 (trans. Sylvain Chollet, Le Lézard Noir).
Les Inrockuptibles journal’s prize jury stated [translated by DeepL]:
“[O]ur comics prize goes to the magnificent Madones et Putains by Nine Antico (Dupuis), which follows the lives of three women – all named after saints – in patriarchal Italy in the 20th century. The black-and-white drawing is as gothic as it is luminous, fascinating and spellbinding, and the editing avoids all classicism, making a political point without needing to press the issue. Nine Antico has established herself as one of today’s leading comic book authors, and deserved the prize.”
The translated synopsis of the e book:
“Nine Antico’s three short stories, inspired by real women, provide a snapshot of the condition of women in 20th-century Italy. First there’s Agata, sent by her father to a sanatorium to escape the public scandal triggered by the murder of her mother by her lover. Then there’s Lucia, shorn and excluded from social life after the Second World War for sleeping with a German soldier. And finally, Rosalia, placed under witness protection after giving up the names of several of her village’s mafiosi… These three young women, all named after saints, will be sacrificed on the altar of societal values, despite their determination, courage and innocence… Madonnas et putains, a powerful tale like an ancient drama and as precise as a sociological study, whose graphic beauty and message cannot leave anyone indifferent.”
Currently Madones et Putains is unavailable in English. A earlier work written by the creator, Il était 2 fois Arthur (A Tale of Two Arthurs), additionally revealed by Dupuis and illustrated by Grégoire Carlé, had an English version launched by Europe Comics in 2020.
Les Inrockuptibles is a French tradition journal that has been revealed since 1986. The annual Prix Littéraire Les Inrockuptibles started in 2020 and has awards unfold throughout 5 classes – French-originated novels, debut novels, international novels, essays, and comics (bande dessinée).
The 2023 jury comprised Les Inrockuptibles contributing writers and critics: Nelly Kaprièlian, Carole Boinet, Vincent Brunner, Jean-Marie Durand, Emmanuel Hoog, Jean-Marc Lalanne, Gérard Lefort, Pauline Le Gall and Sylvie Tanette.
The fourth version of the Prix Littéraire Les Inrockuptibles, earlier winners within the comics class have included 2020‘s Pucelle vol 1, by Florence Dupré La Tour (Dargaud); 2021‘s L’Entaille [tr. The Cut], Antoine Maillard (Cornélius), and final 12 months’s winner Vernon Subutex vol 2, by Virginie Despentes & Luz (Albin Michel).
You can view the complete shortlist right here.
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