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Yannick Haenel Publishes 'La solitude des professeurs est infinie,' Longlisted for Prix Goncourt 2026

publication · 2026-10-01

Yannick Haenel's book, 'La solitude des professeurs est infinie,' released by Gallimard, has made it to the initial shortlist for the Prix Goncourt 2026. The story centers on Jean Deichel, a 22-year-old French educator in a Paris suburb, who aspires to engage his pupils in poetry discussions. Having spent 17 years as a French teacher, Haenel reflects on his profession in light of the tragic murders of Samuel Paty and Dominique Bernard. He critiques the policies of the Éducation nationale, asserting they confuse educators and foster solitude. Haenel advocates for a transformation in teaching, emphasizing, "We must find teachers who are poets." The novel features a photograph by Francesca Mantovani and alludes to François Bégaudeau's 'Entre les murs' and music by Talu.

Key facts

  • Yannick Haenel's novel 'La solitude des professeurs est infinie' is published by Gallimard.
  • The book is part of the first selection for the Prix Goncourt 2026.
  • The novel's protagonist is Jean Deichel, a 22-year-old French teacher doing a traineeship at a middle school in the Paris suburbs.
  • Haenel taught French in collège and lycée for 17 years in the Paris suburbs, leaving the profession in 2005.
  • The assassinations of Samuel Paty and Dominique Bernard inspired Haenel to revisit his former profession.
  • Haenel describes the school principal in the novel as an alter ego: 'me at my best and me at my worst.'
  • Haenel criticizes successive reforms of the Éducation nationale for disorienting teachers and denounces their isolation from society.
  • The RFI segment also referenced François Bégaudeau's 'Entre les murs,' adapted for cinema in 2008 by Laurent Cantet, and featured music by Talu with the track 'Gen Z.'

Entities

Artists

  • Yannick Haenel
  • Jean Deichel
  • Samuel Paty
  • Dominique Bernard
  • François Bégaudeau
  • Laurent Cantet
  • Talu
  • Francesca Mantovani

Institutions

  • Gallimard
  • Éducation nationale
  • Prix Goncourt
  • RFI

Locations

  • Paris
  • France

Sources

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