Alain Bagnoud wins the 2022 Polar Romand Prize

Alain Bagnoud is the winner of the Prix du thriller romand 2022. The Valais-Geneva writer is rewarded for his novel ‘De la part du vengeur occulte’, published by BSN Press.

The 63-year-old author was preferred to the two other finalists, Marie-Christine Horn for ‘In the lake of fire and sulfur’ and Catherine Rolland with ‘Les Inexistents’. His prize, endowed with 3,000 francs, was given to him on Thursday evening at the Casino de Morges, as a curtain raiser for the Livre sur les quais festival.

This is the first time that Alain Bagnoud, who has a long literary career behind him, has embarked on the thriller. ‘He handles all the codes, while adding a satirical and playful tone’, notes Isabelle Falconnier, delegate for book policy for the City of Lausanne and member of the jury.

The novel, which takes place in Geneva, plunges the reader into the worlds of politics, contemporary art and business. The jury liked this ‘contemporary’ novel which reproduces ‘the magic formula’ of good thrillers, namely ‘social outlook, humor and black atmosphere’, continues Isabelle Falconnier, contacted by Keystone-ATS.

Since 2017

In addition to Isabelle Falconnier, the jury was made up of Stéphanie Berg, head of black literature at Payot Lausanne, Valérie Daetwyler, thriller blogger, Sébastien Dyens, judicial police commissioner in Lausanne, Cécile Lecoultre, literary critic at 24 heures, Michel Sauser, programmer of Théâtre 2.21 and Christian Zutter, president of the Lausanne’noir association.

The Prix du thriller romand is organized by the Libraries and Archives Department of the City of Lausanne. It has been awarded since 2017. Last year, Laurence Voïta was awarded for her novel ‘Au point 1230’.

Since the launch of this award, the enthusiasm for Romand thrillers has not waned, whether with readers or writers. ‘It’s a genre that pleases, which allows you to tackle many things at the same time,’ remarks Isabelle Falconnier.

She points out that if many ‘new feathers’ are getting into thriller, several established writers are also getting into it, like ‘an old backpacker’ like Alain Bagnoud.

Publications multiples

Born in Chermignon (VS), Alain Bagnoud then moved to Geneva, where he notably taught literature. He has published fifteen books, but also written plays and written columns for various newspapers. His previous novel, ‘The Supreme Life’ in 2020, had also been noticed, notably winning the Edouard-Rod Prize and appearing in the final selection of the Roman des Romands.

/ATS