Core Viewpoint - Jean-Paul Dubois won the prestigious Prix Goncourt in 2019 for his novel "Everyone," which reflects on themes of division and personal history through the life of the protagonist, Paul Hansen, a Franco-Canadian man navigating his dual heritage and experiences in both France and Canada [1][5][6]. Group 1: Author Background - Before becoming a novelist, Dubois worked as a journalist in various fields including sports, courts, and cinema, and has a background in sociology [3]. - His experiences living in North America for fifteen years as a journalist for "Le Nouvel Observateur" influenced his early writings, which were collections of essays about that period [3][17]. Group 2: Novel's Themes and Characters - The protagonist, Paul Hansen, is depicted as a product of two contrasting worlds: the revolutionary atmosphere of 1950s France and the industrialized environment of Thetford Mines in Canada [5][10]. - The narrative explores the theme of division, stemming from Hansen's upbringing in a family torn apart by differing values, particularly between his traditional father and avant-garde mother [6][10]. - The novel portrays Hansen's life in prison, where he reflects on his past and the impact of his family dynamics on his identity [5][11]. Group 3: Societal Commentary - Dubois critiques the modern world through Hansen's experiences, illustrating how individuals with traditional values struggle to adapt to a rapidly changing society [14][15]. - The narrative suggests a sense of nihilism, where both the old and new worlds fail to provide solace or improvement, leading to a pervasive sense of despair [15][20]. - The character's journey reflects a broader commentary on the human condition, emphasizing the struggle against authority and the search for personal meaning in a fragmented world [17][22].