Thursday 2 March 2017

10 Great French Novels To Learn French For All Levels

I can't remember where I came across this list. Facebook probably, isn't there where we find everything these days? And I can't remember if I found it in 2015 when it was first published, and have just come across it again now, or if it's all new to me. 

Either way it's a fun list. I'd love to think that I would be able to read even ONE of these books in French, but I despair of both my ability and my free time (or lack thereof). You never know perhaps it  can be a list for my dotage- like most of these lists actually. 


1. Le Petit Nicolas - René Goscinny (well I have read it in English at least, see my review)

2. Mon Père est Femme de Ménage - Saphia Azeddine



3. Le Petit Prince - Antoine Saint-Exupery

4. Ensemble c'est Tout - Anne Gavalda

5. Que sais-je sans toi? Guillaume Musso

6. Où on va, papa? - Jean-Louis Fournier



7. La petite fille de Monsieur Linh - Philippe Claudel

8. L'étranger - Albert Camus

9. Les Ames Grises - Philippe Claudel

10. Voyage au Pays des Arbres - J.M.G Le CLézio

0/10 in French
3/10 in English at least. 

I haven't heard of any of the others. It would be an intriguing project to try and read a book in French. I have a bilingual book, that I've been meaning to read. One day. 

Dreaming of France is a wonderful Monday meme
from Paulita at An Accidental Blog  

6 comments:

Sue T said...

I did read a few in French at school, including Camus' L'étranger and André Gide's La symphonie pastorale.I'm pretty sure we also read Antigone by Jean Anouilh. But I never did read Le petit prince.

Louise said...

Actually Sue thanks for reminding me but I did read Camus at uni in the 80s. I can't remember now if it was The Stranger of The Pest.

Tamara said...

I have some of these on my 'french' bookshelf, and one or two I have played with... but its a huge (massive) challenge to get joy out reading in a half known foreign language. Still, I think like you, its a big dream. I am more confident reading the headlines in a french newspaper, or following a few french bloggers, instagramers etc.... i do love listening to french radio. Id encourage others to do that too..

Paulita said...

Louise, This is a great idea. I remember when I first went to France to take care of two little American girls. The grandparents, who were French, bought me a book called Mémoires d'un âne. It was a picture book and I was so offended. Of course, the French was probably still above my reading level. Here's a link to the book from free ebooks -- Mémoires d’un âne
Thanks for playing along with Dreaming of France. I'm counting on everyone who plays along for inspiration until I get back there -- in less than two months!
Here’s my Dreaming of France meme

Sim Carter said...

I would need something very very basic, something along the lines of Jacques et Jill. Fun post, Louise!

Jacqui Brown said...

I'm determined to read more in French too, however, I'm so slow and have so many books in English waiting to be read I rarely find the time to battle along in French! I have one from our village library, chosen as it isn't too big and is set locally, so a bit of extra interest. I'm about half way through and enjoying it, but it is exhausting! #DreamingofFrance