Writers Who Left Grasset After Bolloré Takeover Share Their Stories in New Book

A collective work titled "La Grande Evasion" is set to be published on September 10 by Buchet-Chastel. The book features accounts from writers who departed the French publishing house Grasset following the ousting of Olivier Nora. These authors reflect on their relationship with their former publisher and describe their profession as a "bizarre job, where one stays at home for months in front of a screen." The departure of these writers occurred after Vincent Bolloré, a French billionaire, took control of Grasset. The book's title, which translates to "The Great Escape," hints at the writers' collective exit from the publishing house. The publication date is set for September 10, and the book is released by Buchet-Chastel, a different publishing house. The writers' reflections are centered on their experiences at Grasset and the nature of their craft, emphasizing the solitary aspect of writing. The event highlights the impact of Bolloré's ownership on the literary community, as several authors chose to leave the prestigious publisher. The book serves as a testament to their reasons for leaving and their ongoing connection to their former editor.