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08/11/2007, 22:01 Maricopa Joined on 01/10/2007 Minervois, Hérault Posts 204 Re: Any recommendations for French authors to read?  cooperlola wrote: 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.  Wholeheartedly agree with cooperlola on this one.  I am currently reading Le seigneur des anneau (Lord of the Rings), as I have read it circa 20 times( in English) since having first discovered it as a teenager.  It means you can just relax as you are reading, and only have to look up the occasional word.  It is also interesting for spotting the occasional idiom.  At first I was reading it really slowly, but my pace is picking up now.  The wierdest thing is the fact that all the names were translated, and being so familiar, that took some getting used to.    Report

28/11/2007, 19:21 crépuscule Joined on 19/01/2006 Scotland Posts 50 Re: Any recommendations for French authors to read? One of my friends recommends reading Henri Troyat. He isn't actually French so the theory is that his French is easier to understand! I haven't tried it myself as I'm too lazy to try to read a whole book in French.    Report

28/11/2007, 22:09 Clair Joined on 23/08/2004 ------- Forum Moderator ------- Lot (46) Posts 6,782 Re: Any recommendations for French authors to read? Henri Troyat is not French but wrote in French, so I don't think his place of birth would make his chosen language easier to read... or am I missing something? Clair, a Real Virtual French Person Ma Plus Belle Histoire d'Amour    Report

29/11/2007, 9:55 crépuscule Joined on 19/01/2006 Scotland Posts 50 Re: Any recommendations for French authors to read? My friend's hypothesis is that, because Henri Troyat is not a native French speaker, his written French is easier to understand than that of a native French speaker, presumably because he may not have as full a command of the complexities of the language, idioms etc as a native and so, as a result, he writes in a simpler style.  Obviously, this is only one person's opinion but it sounds plausible to me.     Report

29/11/2007, 10:14 Cat Joined on 21/01/2005 ------- Forum Moderator ------- Lot Posts 2,959 Re: Any recommendations for French authors to read? I'm reading Plus Tard Tu Comprendras by Jerome Clement at the moment.  I already know the outline of the story, as it revolves around the Jewish families that were taken in during the war and hidden by people in the village in which I live.  Some of these were later betrayed, and killed. It's a good read, and the author is also the chairman of Arte TV.  He came here a few months ago to present the legion of honour medal to one of the people that took in and sheltered a Jewish family.  A lot of people around here are very secretive or reticent about what went on during the war, and it's fascinating to get an insight.     Cathy Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...    Report

29/11/2007, 16:28 Clair Joined on 23/08/2004 ------- Forum Moderator ------- Lot (46) Posts 6,782 Re: Any recommendations for French authors to read?  crépuscule wrote: My friend's hypothesis is that, because Henri Troyat is not a native French speaker, his written French is easier to understand than that of a native French speaker, presumably because he may not have as full a command of the complexities of the language, idioms etc and so, as a result, he writes in a simpler style.  Obviously, this is only one person's opinion but it sounds plausible to me.  I can see the logic of the thought. Bear in mind that Troyat emigrated to France as a child, so he is not a native speaker, but the fact that he was a member of the Académie française, which oversees everything concerning the use of the French language makes me think that he may well have had as "full a command of the complexities of the language, idioms etc as a native "... Clair, a Real Virtual French Person Ma Plus Belle Histoire d'Amour    Report

29/11/2007, 19:10 crépuscule Joined on 19/01/2006 Scotland Posts 50 Re: Any recommendations for French authors to read? Good point! Whatever the reason, my friend recommends him as a good read!    Report

29/11/2007, 19:13 Scooby Joined on 25/09/2007 Peak District Posts 250 Re: Any recommendations for French authors to read?  Cat wrote: I'm reading Plus Tard Tu Comprendras by Jerome Clement at the moment.  I already know the outline of the story, as it revolves around the Jewish families that were taken in during the war and hidden by people in the village in which I live.  Some of these were later betrayed, and killed. It's a good read, and the author is also the chairman of Arte TV.  He came here a few months ago to present the legion of honour medal to one of the people that took in and sheltered a Jewish family.  A lot of people around here are very secretive or reticent about what went on during the war, and it's fascinating to get an insight Sounds like a good read Cat - will have a look for that one..    Report

30/11/2007, 10:02 raindog Joined on 26/09/2007 HERAULT Posts 777 Re: Any recommendations for French authors to read? Anyone read any Michel Houellebecq? I seem to remember his first book was translated into English and had good reviews. Never read it, but my son has just lent me Extension Du Domaine De La Lutte. Only just started it, but it's already funny and cynical - right up my street! Would love to hear other's views. sociability is just a big smile and a big smile is nothing but teeth    Report

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