Five French books to read (even if you’re not stuck at home)
Here is a selection of five books for all levels that you can read in French if you dare!
Saga - Tonino Benaquista
The plot is simple: to meet the requirements of French creation, imposed by the public authorities, a private TV channel has to produce a soap opera. Of course, their only concern is to minimise costs so they hire unemployed screenwriters for the show that will air in the middle of the night when no one is watching. Therefore, the four screenwriters, Louis ( a has-been), Jérôme( a lost science fiction fan), Mathilde ( an author of romance novels), and Marco ( the narrator) are giventotal liberty as long as costs are kept low. The result is a mishmash of many (hilarious) twists and turns.
L a Vie devant soi (The Life Before Us) - Romain Gary
The story takes place in Belleville, in the 70s. Momo, 10 years old, lives with Madame Rosa, a former prostitute who created "a boarding house for kids without family who were born crooked". Momo does not have an easy life, but the way he recounts his daily life and his reflections on life will make you remember this book. Tackling many societal themes, touching, funny and tragic at the same time, La vie devant soi by Romain Gary is a must-read.
Chanson Douce (Lullaby) - Leïla Slimani
Don’t be misled by the title of this Goncourt Prize-winning book by Leïla Slimani because this is not a pleasant story.
The story begins with two young children found murdered by Louise, their nanny and the discovery of the crime by their mother. The rest of the book is a gripping telling of the events that lead to the crime which takes place in a Parisian apartment.
Huis clos (No Exit) - Jean-Paul Sartre
This play was written by Jean-Paul Sartre and is a dark read in these times of global lockdowns. The plot centres around three condamned souls, Joseph Garcin, Inèz Serrano, and Estelle Rigault, who are brought to the same room in Hell and locked inside by a mysterious valet. It is from this play that comes the famous expression “l'enfer c'est les autres” (hell is other people)
Le petit Nicolas (Young Nicolas) - René Gosciny
This is the perfect book if you are currently learning French! Le petit Nicolas is an easy read in the form of short stories by René Gosciny that follow the life and adventures of Nicolas, an 8-year-oldin the 60s: going to school, playing with his classmates and trying to understand the world of adults. By turns funny and tender, it is a rite of passage for all French learners!
Discover the universe of Young Nicolas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Petit_Nicolas
