'The Tsar in Propria Persona' Book on Vladimir Putin's Private Life Wins French Literary Prize
An investigative book on Russian President Vladimir Putin by exiled journalists Roman Badanin and Mikhail Rubin won the inaugural Prix Strasbourg. The work exposes his private life and administration, with the official award ceremony set for September. The book contrasts the Russian president's public image as a defender of traditional values with the reality of his private life.
An investigative book detailing the rise and private life of Russian leader Vladimir Putin has won a newly established French literary prize. The book won the prize on Tuesday, August 25. Authored by exiled Russian journalists Roman Badanin and Mikhail Rubin, the work draws on more than two decades of reporting.
Titled "The Tsar in Propria Persona: How Vladimir Putin Deceived Us All", the book was awarded the inaugural Prix Strasbourg, reports Insider Paper. The award carries a cash prize of 20,000 euros and is presented by EBRA, France's largest regional newspaper group, alongside Crédit Mutuel Alliance Fédérale. Vladimir Putin Threatens Retaliation Over Western Seizures of Russian Commercial Vessels.
Uncovering the Kremlin's Private Reality
The investigative project traces Putin's trajectory from a former intelligence operative to the dominant figure in contemporary Russian politics. The authors, who founded the independent media outlet Proekt, compiled the publication after facing intense political pressure and fleeing Russia. Badanin, a high-profile Russian journalist, is the founder and editor-in-chief of Proekt, which was founded in 2018. According to the award jury, the publication is "the result of several hundred interviews with witnesses, some of whom later disappeared under tragic circumstances."
The book contrasts the Russian president's public image as a defender of traditional values with the reality of his private life. Reviewers note that the text explores undocumented facets of the administration, high-level corruption, and personal dynamics within Moscow's ruling circles. World War 3 Fears: Vladimir Putin May Send Armed Groups To Occupy NATO Territory Within Weeks, US Intelligence Warns.
Reception and Upcoming Publication
Literary critics have praised the book's narrative style, noting that its pacing bridges the gap between political non-fiction and investigative reporting. Members of the literary panel remarked that the book reads "like a spy novel, serving as an intriguing and shocking work about a man who is himself intriguing and shocking". "It is the result of several hundred interviews with witnesses, some of whom later disappeared under tragic circumstances," the jury added. The French edition of the book is scheduled to be published next month, with publishing houses across Europe securing translation rights in anticipation of widespread readership. The official award ceremony will take place in Strasbourg in September.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 26, 2026 07:13 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
