My french life™ – ma vie française®

French literature has a wide range of retro classics, many of which discuss thought-provoking ideas and intellectual styles. French books are frequently of the philosophical nature and employ brilliant conntacting puzzle within the human condition and societal values.

This is often intimidating, but please, don’t let yourself be placed off. Some of the most evocative, intelligent narratives are French and never to become missed.

This is a listing of a number of the best French books.

1. ‘Sagan, Paris 1954’ by Anne Berest

This intimate narrative charts the several weeks prior to the publication of ‘Bonjour Tristesse’, the novel that made Francoise Sagan a literary icon just 18 years of age. The storyline alternates between your existence of Francoise in 1954 and also the existence from the author and narrator these days.

Francoise is really a girl who defies the social constrictions of her day and thru her research, Berest is inspired by Francoise’s method of existence. Written in the request of Francoise’s boy, Denis Westhoff, this book examines the first existence of 1 of France’s most effective authors.

Why would you see clearly? This can be a superbly written account of Sagan’s road to fame and enchants the readers using the spirit of the lady who had been well in front of her time.

 2. ‘The Elegance from the Hedgehog’ by Muriel Barbery

Within an elegant apartment building within the center of Paris, Renée, the concierge, conforms to social stereotypes while hiding her passion for art, philosophy, music and Japanese culture. Paloma, who resides in exactly the same building, is really a 12 years old genius who pretends to become a mediocre pre-teen and intends to finish her existence on her behalf 13th birthday. It’s not until the appearance of a cultured, Japanese man the pair uncover one another as well as their similarities.

This novel is really a best-seller in France, along with a great a philosophical read. It’s an search for a persons condition, from the purpose of look at two those who suspect they reside in a world that can’t appreciate them.

Why would you see clearly? A frightening but thought provoking and funny novel that explores from French social class to the concept that many of us are masters of the fate.

 3. ‘My Father’s Glory’ by Marcel Pagnol

This books captures the childhood of Marcel Pagnol, put in rural Provence. The sensual language and evocative setting envision the chirping from the leafhoppers, the baking sun and also the odor of wild garlic clove and thyme. It’s the storyline of the endless summer time which captures the rawness of the rural childhood and expresses how important it’s to permit children to savour their insouciance before their adult years approaches.

Why would you see clearly? Among the best French books which will transport you to definitely the hillsides of Provence and enable you to absorb the word what from the rural south in early 1900s. I suggest you look at this in French if you’re able to!

4. ‘Madame Bovary’ by Gustave Flaubert

When self-obsessed Emma marries Charles Bovary she expects a existence of passion and luxury, but provincial existence because the wife of the country physician is way from what she imagined. Forever discontented, Emma begins cheating which plunges her into a whole lot worse dissatisfaction and self-destruction.

Through Emma, Flaubert portrays the pretentious morality from the French bourgeoisie. It causes readers to mirror around the flaws of humanity and why we frequently feel there’s something ‘missing’, despite getting everything we want.

Why would you see clearly? A French classic that’s beautiful regardless of the ugliness of their styles, this novel gives a goal depiction of upper-class French society within the mid-1800s while offering vivid descriptions from the Normandy countryside.

5. ‘Bonjour Tristesse’ by Francoise Sagan

An account of adolescence and unfaithfulness around the French Rivera, this bold novel with scandalous sex scenes was the building of its author, 18 years old Francoise Sagan. The books informs the storyline of Cécile, a wayward 17 years old who lives together with her wealthy father and the string of mistresses. None of those relationships come between father and daughter until he meets a lady who’s unlike individuals he usually frequents, and provides her.

Cecile, afraid that her future step-mother’s sober personality have a negative impact on her father and also the spontaneous, frivolous existence Cecile explains to him, decides they must avoid the marriage.

Why would you see clearly? A transitional phase novel that touched the hearts of their many French readers, it captures the vulnerability and melodrama contained in most teenagers’ lives. ‘Bonjour Tristesse’ shines in the characterisation and also the interaction between your protagonists, certainly worth a read.

Have you ever read these books? Which French books can you recommend? Tell us within the comments below!

Image credits

1. ‘French Literature’, Phil Roeder, via Flickr

2. ‘Sagan 1954’, Stock

3. ‘Elégance du hérisson’, such a long time help you tomorrow via Flickr

4. ‘La gloire de mon pere’ via Amazon

5. ‘Madame Bovary’, Chris Drumm via Flickr

6. ‘Jean Seberg, “Bonjour Tristesse”, 1958’, Laura Loveday via Flickr

Resourse: http://myfrenchlife.org/2017/04/12/french-books-best-reads/

MyFrenchLife.org – Ma Vie Francaise Soiree – Market Lane Bar – 10 April 2012 Melbourne