The Grand Prix de Littérature Américaine 2026 was presented to Karen Russell, the U.S. author whose latest novel, Quand vient la tempête, was released by French publisher Albin Michel.
The award recognises Russell’s contribution to contemporary literature, highlighting the novel’s reception in the French market.
Quand vient la tempête, translated into French for Albin Michel’s catalogue, has been cited by the prize committee as a work that blends imaginative storytelling with sharp social observation.
Russell joins a roster of previous laureates who have been honoured for bringing American narratives to a global readership.