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04/11/2007, 16:51 Phil & Pat Joined on 24/12/2006 Falaise, Calvados (14) Posts 188 Any recommendations for French authors to read? Having made the decision to read more in French and joined the local library I am looking for recommendations for French authors who are not too demanding on my level of the language.  So far I have got on well with Pagnol (read all his novels, not too keen on reading plays) and with Simenon (now looking for a change of genre).  Having tried a couple of  modern writers I have found they use too many obscure words and phrases meaning that I have to keep referring to the dictionary which spoils the enjoyment a little. Can anyone please suggest authors using the language at the same kind of level as Pagnol and Simenon?  I find that most of their unknown words and phrases can be guessed from the context allowing me to read through to the end of a chapter with a reasonable level of comprehension, leaving the dictionary work until the end. As to subject, anything at all at the moment.  The intention is to read to improve my spoken French, not  really for the enjoyment of the reading itself. One last thought, how about English/American authors in translation?  A good way to improve spoken French or not? Thanks, Phil.    Report

04/11/2007, 16:56 samdebretagne Joined on 19/07/2006 Posts 187 Re: Any recommendations for French authors to read? Any of the Harry Potter books - I read them when I firsted starting learning French and they were surprisingly good!  It's not something I ever would've read in English, but it works in French.    Report

05/11/2007, 9:41 cooperlola Joined on 05/05/2006 72 - Sarthe - home of les 24 heures du Mans Posts 6,408 Re: Any recommendations for French authors to read? I've always found it's good to read translations of books you're familiar with - especially when you start off.  If you know the plot, it stops you looking up the words you don't know, and you just pick them up from the context - much easier to get the flow of the thing, and I personally found I absorbed new words as a result.  I started with people like Dick Francis and Ruth Rendell - lots of French translations available. Healthcare Issues Site    Report

05/11/2007, 17:41 sweet 17 Joined on 05/08/2006 charente maritime Posts 2,631 Re: Any recommendations for French authors to read? It may not be everyone's cup of tea but, when I'm learning a new language, I start with the bible.  That's because I have grown up with it (and no, I'm no longer religious) and I practically know all the well known bits by heart.  For example, I have bought the French version of the new testament and, because I know Luke best of all, I have started with Luke in "Les Quatre Evangiles" Then there are things like the 23rd psalm:  For everything there is a season......etc, etc. At the moment I am reading Aesop's fables in French as interpreted by Jean de la Fontaine.  Nothing like memorising something like "Le corbeau et le renard" about the crow and the cheese to really get the learning juices flowing. Don't know if any of this is helpful but I grew up with traditional schooling!       Report

05/11/2007, 18:44 Patf Joined on 23/08/2004 SW Gers Posts 2,247 Re: Any recommendations for French authors to read? I once asked this question on another forum and someone suggested the stories of Guy de Maupassant. Partly because they're short and self contained. I've also read some books about the Resistance which are very dramatic , and I prefer non-fiction. Also french local history - you will find examples in the tabac/newsagents.    Report

05/11/2007, 19:13 Scooby Joined on 25/09/2007 Peak District Posts 268 Re: Any recommendations for French authors to read? The novels by Marc Levy are good - very easy reading.  Marc is a french guy who now lives in the US so books are often set in the US.  His books are pretty popular in France I'm told.    Report

06/11/2007, 6:54 raindog Joined on 26/09/2007 HERAULT Posts 789 Re: Any recommendations for French authors to read? Try L'Enfant et la Rivière by Henri Boscoe. Fairly simple but absolutely beautiful prose. sociability is just a big smile and a big smile is nothing but teeth    Report

06/11/2007, 20:33 J.R's gone native Joined on 16/07/2006 Picardie, Sussex Posts 1,943 Re: Any recommendations for French authors to read? I understand the suggestion of reading a familiar author but wouldn't myself have the commitment to read a book a second time to learn French phrases. What works for me is to read on a subject that I find absolutely fascinating or have a real thirst for more knowledge of, this keeps me motivated and reading. I am currently reading the French translated "Les isles heureuses d'Océanie" by Paul Theroux and have been for a long time, I read at night as I dont usually sleep well, in the past if a book (in English) was really interesting I would often not sleep at all for many hours or would wake up and read again in the middle of the night. This bad sleep pattern has been totally cured since I started reading French books, it strains the grey matter to such a degree that after a few pages I sleep right through. Today I got through the post from my belle mêre a copy of "Birdsong" by Sabastien Faulks which should be interesting as it is set in my area during WW1, however I am going to give it to my French teacher to read and try to buy a French copy if it exists.    Report

06/11/2007, 20:51 sweet 17 Joined on 05/08/2006 charente maritime Posts 2,631 Re: Any recommendations for French authors to read? I loved Birdsong.  Faulks pulls no punches describing some of the scenes of war.  It's a long book, JR, so, if you can get it in French, you can be assured of a very good cure for your insomnia!    Report

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