The announcement brings international attention to Rogoyska’s deeply researched and emotionally resonant work, which explores the complex layers of history, human endurance, and survival in the French capital during times of immense geopolitical turmoil. By returning to the physical rooms and halls of the legendary Parisian hotel, the event bridged the gap between historical literature and the tangible spaces where those past events unfolded.
The selection of Hotel Exile was made by a distinguished and diverse jury panel consisting of last year’s Book Award winner Sue Prideaux, acclaimed actress and writer Molly Ringwald, and historian and author Dan Jones. In a joint statement explaining their unanimous choice, the jury members praised the depth of Rogoyska’s scholarship and her ability to keep the human element at the absolute forefront of the narrative.
"The book is a tremendous piece of original research, but scholarship never gets in the way of the human story: a story set in a real place, with real people shaped by the weight of history, demonstrating the courage of human belief in the enduring principle of goodness during the darkest days of adversity, and the resilience of the human spirit," the jury said in their statement. "We are very proud to have been given the opportunity to honor this wonderful book."
As the recipient of the 2026 American Library in Paris Book Award, Rogoyska received a $5,000 cash prize alongside a uniquely crafted physical honor. She was presented with one of two specially commissioned, hand-bound editions of Hotel Exile: Paris in the Shadow of War, which were meticulously created by master Parisian artisans at the renowned atelier Bourgogne Reliure. The second identical copy of this bespoke edition will be permanently added to the American Library in Paris’s Special Collections, ensuring that this year’s winning volume remains preserved for future generations of readers, scholars, and researchers who visit the historic institution.
The American Library in Paris, located in the heart of the French capital, has long served as a vital cultural bridge between the English-speaking world and French literary traditions. Its annual book award continues to highlight exceptional writing that captures the multifaceted essence of France, recognizing authors whose works illuminate the nation’s profound influence on global culture, history, and the arts. With the selection of Jane Rogoyska’s Hotel Exile: Paris in the Shadow of War, the library has once again honored a work that deepens our understanding of Paris’s enduring legacy through periods of profound historical transformation.
