Literary Journalism à la françaiseChanges and Challenges in the French Magazine Press

Abstract

The growth of international literary journalism studies has been swift lately and, understandably, France has joined the global conversation. This chapter examines the changes and challenges of this niche market and leads to confirming a solid heritage, tracing cultural transfers, building bridges with other journalistic models and literary traditions, and rekindling an original French style. The dedication to developing nonfiction and to expanding research in French literary journalism rests on several factors: trailblazing magazines celebrating the genre, an acclaimed stable of writers producing reportages, and enthusiastic publishers betting on longform. While hybridization of forms and influences from America is not new, it is intriguing to see how traditions are reflected and refracted through ricocheting and caroming dynamics that follow from such encounters. While challenging the authoritative voice of an Anglo-American codification of literary journalism, the example of France shows that such a hegemonic position is also an invitation to constructively redesign a global history of the genre. What could be seen as a tug-of-war between national traditions is instead a springboard to reflective work beneficial to all parties. Such ventures decenter the usual hubs, dismantle hierarchies, disrupt the playing field, reshuffle the cards, redraw cartographies, map out unchartered territories, and apply new prisms.