Fred Vargas Princess of Asturias Award for Literature 2018

Statement by Fred Vargas on being bestowed with the 2018 Princess of Asturias Award for Literature

“After the announcement of this award, my first reaction was one of amazement, followed by intense emotion and then immense gratitude. I am a career archaeologist and I have always written what I call ‘my novels’ outside of my profession. I am also aware that I wrote thriller novels, a genre always considered marginal in literature. Nevertheless, I have always put all my passion in the choice of each word and, if I may, I would humbly say that I have always sought the most appropriate ‘literary music’. Thanks to this prestigious award, the crime fiction novel has entered the world of literature for the first time.

I would like to express my gratitude to the Princess of Asturias Foundation and the members of the Jury who have honoured me by adding my name this year to that of my illustrious predecessors. My most grateful thoughts also go out to my Spanish editor and my translators.”

Fred Vargas
Paris, 27th May 2018