Is the chair n°19 of the French Academy cursed?
Vacant since the disappearance, in May 2020, of the one who occupied it, Jean-Loup Dabadie, the election of his successor ended on Thursday, November 3, with a blank result, the Academicians having been unable to decide between the two main applicants, namely Benoît Duteurtre (born in 1960), and Frédéric Beigbeder (born in 1965), a surprise and last-minute candidate.
Two recognized authors, with different profiles, with a solid body of work behind them.
In detail, in the 4th ballot, Benoît Duteurtre obtained 11 votes, against 8 for Frédéric Beigbeder;
the majority being established at 13 votes, 25 members of the Academy having taken part in the vote.
Note also five slips bearing a cross.
Read alsoFrench Academy: an uncertain match between Benoît Duteurtre and Frédéric Beigbeder
In the past, Benoît Duteurtre, author of essays and about twenty novels, won the prize for short stories from the Académie française, as well as the Médicis;
and Frédéric Beigbeder, juror of Renaudot, who has just had his friend Simon Liberati crowned, was awarded the Interallié prize, and the Renaudot.
Second white election
The previous ballot for this same chair, on May 12, also ended in a white election, where Franz-Olivier Giesbert and Olivier Barrot had presented themselves, in vain.
No newly elected, therefore, quai de Conti, while the Academy must also soon find successors to its recently deceased members, namely Jean-Denis Bredin, Marc Fumaroli, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing and his ex-dean, Rene de Obaldia.
Pending the reception, in 2023, of Mario Vargas Llosa, then that of Antoine Compagnon.
Should we deduce from this that the Academy is having difficulty opening up to new generations, struggling to rejuvenate its new members?
Answer during the next election to this famous armchair n°19, postponed.
