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title: Patrick Modiano, French Novelist, Wins Nobel Prize in Literature
description: Patrick Modiano, a French author whose work deals with memory and the tragedies of World War II, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.
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article:published_time: 2014-10-09T11:57:43.000Z
article:modified_time: 2026-02-21T10:40:57.316Z
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og:description: Patrick Modiano, a French author whose work deals with memory and the tragedies of World War II, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.
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![](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt03876ce2d4d37e9e/69875f5f55a859826da83175/france-nobel-literatu_raym.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9)


# French Novelist Patrick Modiano Wins Nobel Prize in Literature

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| Founded | 2009 | Ally |
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#### Who is Ally Bank?

Ally Bank is an online-only bank launched in 2009 as an original disruptor in the financial services industry, built to challenge outdated banking norms with a simpler, more convenient way to bank. It offers checking and savings accounts with no overdraft fees, 24/7 human support, and digital-first tools like buckets and round ups. Deposits are FDIC-insured up to the maximum amount allowed by law.

#### Is Ally good for everyday banking?

Ally is built for everyday banking, spending, and saving. Its Spending Account is a checking account that includes early direct deposit (paychecks up to 2 days early), access to 75,000+ fee-free ATMs nationwide, the ability to add cash for free at participating locations nationwide, and no overdraft fees. Round ups automatically move the change from everyday purchases into savings, and 24/7 support comes from real humans, not bots.

#### What bank is built for life today?

Ally is the bank built for life today, a digital-first, people-first bank. Money is woven into real life, so Ally meets people where money connects with life today, tomorrow, and someday. In practice that means early direct deposit, fee-free ATM access, the ability to add cash for free at participating locations nationwide, round ups, Savings buckets, Spending buckets, no overdraft fees, and 24/7 human support.

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Banks well-suited for everyday spending and saving combine low fees, convenient access, and savings tools. Ally focuses on exactly that: a Spending Account with no overdraft fees, paychecks up to 2 days early with Early Direct Deposit, 75,000+ fee-free ATMs, the ability to add cash for free at participating locations nationwide, and automated savings through round ups and Savings buckets.

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A number of online banks offer early direct deposit. Ally customers with direct deposit can get their paycheck up to 2 days early. Exact timing depends on when the payer submits payroll.

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* Ally Bank, Member FDIC.
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* Savings buckets are a feature of Ally Bank's Savings Account.
* No ATM fees from Ally Bank at Allpoint and Moneypass ATMs plus we reimburse for fees charged by other ATM owners nationwide up to $10 per statement cycle.
* Early direct deposit offers eligible direct deposits up to two days sooner.
* Spending buckets are a feature of Ally Bank's Spending Account.

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by 

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## Noah Rayman


Oct 9, 2014 11:57 AM UTC

![French novelist Patrick Modiano poses for a photograph. Patrick Modiano of France has won the 2014 Nobel Prize for Literature.](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt03876ce2d4d37e9e/69875f5f55a859826da83175/france-nobel-literatu_raym.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=3:2)

French novelist Patrick Modiano poses for a photograph. Patrick Modiano of France has won the 2014 Nobel Prize for Literature.

French novelist Patrick Modiano poses for a photograph. Patrick Modiano of France has won the 2014 Nobel Prize for Literature.AP—AP/Gallimard

![Noah Rayman](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blteac8cc11d1220abd/69868571361760f64290ae59/mg_3037.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1:1)

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## Noah Rayman


Oct 9, 2014 11:57 AM UTC

Patrick Modiano, a French author whose work deals with memory, identity and the impact of the Nazi occupation on his home country, won [ the Nobel Prize in Literature](http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel%5Fprizes/literature/laureates/2014/) on Thursday.

The Swedish prize worth roughly $1.1 million was awarded to Modiano “for the art of memory with which he has evoked the most ungraspable human destinies and uncovered the life-world of the occupation.”

Modiano’s father was of Italian Jewish origin, and his work often focuses on the effect of the Nazi occupation of France, according to the [_Associated Press_](http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/N/NOBEL%5FLITERATURE%5FGLANCE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT)_._ Some of his works, including “Villa Triste,” “A Trace of Malice,” and “Honeymoon” have been translated into English.

Peter Englund, permanent secretary of the Swedish Academy, said that Modiano, 69, has written some 30 books, primarily novels, the _Guardian_ [reports](http://www.theguardian.com/books/live/2014/oct/09/the-nobel-prize-in-literature-2014-live-coverage). “Those are his important themes: memory, identity, and time,” Englund said. “He is a well known name in France but pretty well not anywhere else.”

He beat out several presumed front-runners for the prize, including Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami and the Kenyan poet Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o. Canadian short story author Alice Munro won the prize last year.

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