petit_canard25 Posted January 13, 2009 Posted January 13, 2009 Hello, My first language is french..and over the years i have noticed that i'm losing my french due to working in an english environment. Does anybody have any recommendations for french authors? I have read a couple from Doric Germain. Quote
Guest ii Posted January 13, 2009 Posted January 13, 2009 Oh, gosh, I know the feeling. Unfortunately I'm really out of touch with French authors, I have no idea on who's good and who's not of late. It's been a while and I haven't really shopped for books there lately. Sorry. I'll let you know if anything pops into my head (read: if I manage to get any recommendations from my friends). In the mean time, maybe Chimera can mention someone? I'd like to know too! Quote
Chimera Posted January 13, 2009 Posted January 13, 2009 mmm well actually I'm ashamed to admit it but... nothing comes to mind I also noticed recently that I'm reading increasingly in english and the rare books I do read in french are actually translations *laughs* Well, there is Madame B Quote
Guest ii Posted January 13, 2009 Posted January 13, 2009 *laughs* I'm glad I'm not the only one! As least I can say it's because I don't live there anymore. What's your excuse? *hides from Chimera* No, seriously, there's just so much more books published in English, and I've also noticed that since I've started to chat about books with non-French-speakers, I've also wanted to read the book in English. I'm horrible at translating, (which is why I speak sometimes three languages in one sentence, I think four is my record, though, and all purely accidental.) so it's easier to read the book and discuss it in the same language. And usually that's English. I might have to go and get the latest French Elle for the book recommendations! *shocked face* That'd be a first. Quote
petit_canard25 Posted January 15, 2009 Author Posted January 15, 2009 I'm happy that i'm not the only one I'm still on the lookout. If I find some good novels. I will let you know. I remember reading Doric German. He had some very good novels. Poison Le trappeur du kabi La vengence de l'orignal. Quote
Chimera Posted January 15, 2009 Posted January 15, 2009 *laughs* I'm glad I'm not the only one! As least I can say it's because I don't live there anymore. What's your excuse? *hides from Chimera* *piles up her collection of french classics as munitions* Excuse? Who needs an excuse? Other than having had enough of forced readings in school and looked for something completely different... Oh and lately getting all my recomendations here on BCF of course *laughs* But I really should get back into it now. Quote
Chimera Posted January 17, 2009 Posted January 17, 2009 (edited) Oh and of course there is Daniel Pennac, cant believe I forgot to mention him! Very original, witty and easy to read novels. I reviewed his main series here some time ago. There's also a thread on his "rights of the reader". Thanks for the suggestions petit canard! Edited January 17, 2009 by Chimera typo Quote
Anika Posted November 19, 2009 Posted November 19, 2009 I always liked Francois Sagan, especially 'Sunlight On Cold Water'. Quote
Raskolnikov Posted November 19, 2009 Posted November 19, 2009 Hello, What are you specifically looking for in french? What style, era? Quote
Raskolnikov Posted November 25, 2009 Posted November 25, 2009 I have just read the thread related to The boy in striped pyjama. It reminds me of a very good book from a french-american author now translated in english. The book, released in 2007, is called The kindly ones from Jonathan Littell. These are the memoirs of an ancient SS who met a lot of famous people and was deeply involved in the process of extermination. It's a exceptionnal book which goes very far on theme of guiltiness and, for once, the decomplexed nazi point of view (instead of a traditional victim one) is transgressive if disturbing. This is still having a big success in France. I personnally think it is deserved. Here are the first lines : "O human brothers let me tell you how it started" Quote
Eryk Posted November 25, 2009 Posted November 25, 2009 Anna Gavalda writes literary fiction. Jean-Francois Parot writes mystery novels set in 18th-century France. Marc Levy is extremely popular. Quote
petit_canard25 Posted November 25, 2009 Author Posted November 25, 2009 Hello, What are you specifically looking for in french? What style, era? Looking for adventure, crime, type of novels. I haven't read Les Miserables yet...but it is on my tbr list. Quote
petit_canard25 Posted November 25, 2009 Author Posted November 25, 2009 Anna Gavalda writes literary fiction. Jean-Francois Parot writes mystery novels set in 18th-century France. Marc Levy is extremely popular. Merci i'll look them up Quote
petit_canard25 Posted November 25, 2009 Author Posted November 25, 2009 OH!!! I read a novel not too long ago. It was a great french read. I gave it a 9 out of 10. Le chemin des brumes - Jacques Cote = Highly recommend Disliked: Un Homme accidentel - Philippe Besson Rouge secret - chrystine brouillet Quote
Eryk Posted November 25, 2009 Posted November 25, 2009 Looking for adventure, crime, type of novels. I haven't read Les Miserables yet...but it is on my tbr list. You might want to check out the Mill Quote
Raskolnikov Posted November 26, 2009 Posted November 26, 2009 Out of Hugo, all these are popular authors, but they barely not recommendable as they are Marry Higgins Clark and Dan Brown lookalikes. If you like crime and adventure novels, I would suggest you not to bother with french authors. Quote
Raskolnikov Posted December 7, 2009 Posted December 7, 2009 Oh Christ, another stiffled friday night... Quote
Julia Posted December 8, 2009 Posted December 8, 2009 OK no adventure and no crime, but I really like Eric Emmanuel Schmitt. I really like Oscar et la dame rose! Quote
petit_canard25 Posted December 8, 2009 Author Posted December 8, 2009 I've heard about Albert Camus. any novel in specific you recommend? Quote
petit_canard25 Posted December 8, 2009 Author Posted December 8, 2009 OK no adventure and no crime, but I really like Eric Emmanuel Schmitt. I really like Oscar et la dame rose! this one sounds good. Merci beaucoup Quote
Raskolnikov Posted December 8, 2009 Posted December 8, 2009 Albert Camus is an interesting author. Very political. Always involved in questionning radicalism in all its displays. From what is translated into english i would recommand The just which is a short play about russian revolutionaries who are ploting a coup against a duke. Attending to kill him, they all think of the consequences of this bombing (especially its collateral damage side and the eventuality that some 'innocent' people would also be killed during the attack). Right now, in France, there is some kind of resurrection of his work as president Sarkozy is intending to honour his memory by removing his grave in order to put it in the parisian pantheon. Quote
Ausonius Posted December 9, 2009 Posted December 9, 2009 Although the author was Polish, Jan Potocki wrote in French one of the greatest novels in any language: Manuscrit trouv Quote
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