Mass Exodus of Writers from French Publisher Grasset Over Right-Wing Owner
In an unprecedented move, more than 100 writers have resigned from the historic French publishing house Grasset in protest against its conservative billionaire owner, Vincent Bolloré. The authors accuse Bolloré's media empire of pushing reactionary and far-right ideas, sparking a major cultural and ideological clash in France.
Open Letter and Legal Action Against Bolloré
The protest was formalized through an open letter signed by dozens of prominent writers, including the acclaimed punk feminist novelist Virginie Despentes and the philosopher Bernard-Henri Lévy. In the letter, they declared, "We refuse to be hostages in an ideological war that seeks to impose authoritarianism everywhere in culture and the media." They added, "We don't want our ideas, our work, to be his property." Other signatories included Vanessa Springora, author of the award-winning bestseller Consent, and novelist Laurent Binet.
Beyond the walkout, the writers announced plans to take legal action to recover rights to their earlier works published by Grasset. This historic publisher has long been home to some of France's most celebrated literary figures, making the mass departure a significant blow to its reputation.
Catalyst: Departure of Editor Olivier Nora
The protest was triggered by the forced departure of Grasset editor Olivier Nora, who had led the imprint for 26 years. Writers viewed Nora as the last defense against reactionary influences within the publishing house. His exit was widely linked to the acquisition of a new book by conservative French-Algerian novelist Boualem Sansal, though no public explanation was provided.
In a dramatic act, journalist and writer David Dufresne tore up his Grasset contract on a television chat show, stating, "Bolloré is trading in commerce and ideology, not literature or essays." This highlighted the growing frustration among authors over the perceived ideological shift.
Bolloré's Expanding Media Empire and Far-Right Ties
Vincent Bolloré, a 74-year-old Breton industrialist, has built a vast cultural empire that includes television, radio, and the Sunday paper Le Journal du Dimanche, now seen as a platform for far-right voices. In 2023, his organization took over Hachette Livre, the largest book publishing and distribution conglomerate in France, raising concerns about monopolistic control over cultural output.
Bolloré is best known for owning CNews, which became the most-watched news channel on French TV last year. Left-wing figures have criticized CNews for amplifying reactionary voices that they claim have fueled the rise of the far right. Recently, the Paris prosecutor's office opened a legal investigation into racist comments made on the channel against Saint-Denis mayor Bally Bagayoko, though the channel denied allegations of racism.
Former education minister Pap Ndiaye once described Bolloré as "very close to the most radical far right." In a 2022 senate hearing, Bolloré denied political interventionism, stating his media acquisitions were purely financial and aimed at promoting French soft power. He argued that his conglomerate's size naturally encompasses diverse views.
Broader Impact on Publishing and Democracy
Independent booksellers across France have warned about Bolloré's growing influence, emphasizing the dangers to democracy when one conglomerate dominates cultural production. Hachette Livre, now part of Bolloré's Vivendi, is the biggest publisher in France, with over 200 imprints worldwide. It produces bestsellers like the Asterix comics, literary fiction, and school textbooks, and owns Relay bookstores in French train stations.
Fayard, another historic publishing house under Bolloré's control, has become a hub for far-right authors, including potential presidential candidate Jordan Bardella and anti-immigration businessman Philippe de Villiers. Colombe Schneck, a key organizer of the open letter, told Agence France-Presse, "We can't let all the publishing houses of the Hachette group become far-right." She noted that writers from diverse political backgrounds, both right and left, have united in this protest.
Hachette has not commented on the walkout or the allegations. This mass protest underscores a deepening cultural divide in France, as authors and independent voices rally against perceived authoritarian trends in media and publishing.
