PRESS RELEASE
Paris, 18 June 2026
The French National Academy of Medicine announces
the winner of its 2026 Literary Prize:
Gabrielle de Tournemire for Des enfants uniques
The French National Academy of Medicine has awarded its 2026 Literary Prize to Gabrielle de Tournemire for her novel “Des enfants uniques”, published by Flammarion.
Selected from a shortlist of twenty-two entries, this debut novel caught the attention of the jury through the quality of its writing, its insightful portrayal of disability, and its exploration of independence, love and inclusion. Through characters imbued with great humanity, the author delicately addresses realities that are under-represented in contemporary literature.
A work that particularly impressed the jury
Hector and Luz fall in love as teenagers. But their relationship seems doomed by their disabilities. They try to build a life together, centered around their parents, their carer Carlo, and their support staff.
Despite the reluctance of those around them and the limitations that society imposes on them, they are moving towards greater autonomy and freedom.
Through this remarkably crafted, sensitive and deeply human narrative, Gabrielle de Tournemire explores the place accorded to each individual in our society, disability, emotional well-being and medical and social support.
The experiences of people with disabilities and their loved ones have
rarely been described with such sensitivity.
About the National Academy of Medicine Literary Prize
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Established in 2022, the French National Academy of Medicine Literary Prize is awarded annually to a work in the French language, written by a living author, which, through literature, contributes to fostering reflection on health, medicine, illness or well-being.
This honor, which carries no monetary prize, confers upon the winner the title of Laureate of the French National Academy of Medicine
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Press contact: Lola Gauchet
lola.gauchet@academie-medecine.fr
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ACADÉMIE NATIONALE DE MÉDECINE
16 rue Bonaparte – 75006 Paris / Tél. : +33 (0)1 42 34 57 70
Site: www.academie-medecine.fr
