170 Authors Depart Grasset Publishing House in Protest Against Vincent Bolloré's Influence

Vincent Bolloré, a billionaire media magnate aged 74, has instigated a significant departure from the Paris-based publishing firm Grasset since taking control in 2023. His actions resulted in the ousting of long-standing director Olivier Nora. Consequently, 170 authors, among them Virginie Despentes and Bernard-Henri Lévy, have chosen to leave. An open letter from 115 authors expressed their refusal to be pawns in an ideological conflict that fosters authoritarianism. Similar turmoil unfolded at Éditions Fayard, where director Sophie de Closets was replaced. Bolloré's media conglomerate promotes right-wing perspectives. French President Emmanuel Macron cautioned against undermining Grasset's legacy and the freedom of its authors. Additionally, Bolloré secured a €1 million advance for a new book from Algerian-French writer Boualem Sansal. The future of Grasset remains in question.