11 Must-Read Modern French Books

Here are some of the finest French books in translation from the past few decades, right up to today. Some are literary fiction, others are genre fiction. Some are memoir, others essays. There is a fine selection of French books in translation here for you to enjoy.
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Read the full article: booksandbao.com/modern-french...
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Website: booksandbao.com/

[@avni8277]

Love the orange lids

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Thank you so much!

[@sofiaversoza938]

I loveeee your recommendations so much!! Im not sure if you’ve done a video of just your all time favorites? Maybe genre focused like classics? Just found ur channel and loving it sm!

[@WillowTalksBooks]

I've been very tempted! I did a video on Frankenstein, which is my favourite novel, but I'd love to make a list!

[@sofiaversoza938]

@@WillowTalksBooks Frankenstein is definitely up there for me! Not sure if you’ve read Perfume by patrick suskind but it’s also another great one (imo of course) and ahhh pls do make a list whenever u can! :D

[@rach1213]

Huge fan of your reviews! Thank you so much for suggesting such beautiful books!!❤️❤️

[@WillowTalksBooks]

You are so very welcome!

[@rach1213]

@@WillowTalksBooks can't wait to read these books and your next review❤️

[@amals1500]

I'm trying so hard to find any reviews for An Apartment on Uranus. I'm glad you reviewed it and I know I can find it from your channel. I've been contemplating to proceed buying this book or the King Kong Theory one by Virginie Despentes. & now after watching your review, I guess it's time to proceed with the checkout. Great review as always!

[@leeterry5483]

This vid couldn't have come at a better time! Trying to get more into French lit. Mercii

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Happy for the great timing! You're very welcome! There are more books in the full article as well (link in the description) in case you're interested

[@SpringboardThought]

Some great recs here! I haven’t read any of these. Hopefully my bumpkin rural library can get some of these.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

I hope you can track down a few of them!

[@jessicaryan8393]

Just found your channel - needless to say my to buy book list has grown!! 🧡🧡

[@WillowTalksBooks]

That's awesome news!

[@krzysamm7095]

You keep adding to my TBR pile. Finally reading To The Warm Horizon.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Please let me know how you find it when you're done!

[@krzysamm7095]

@@WillowTalksBooks It was brutally vile yet beautiful, hopeless yet hopeful, heart wrenching yet lovely. It stirred up a myriad of emotions that ran the gambit. Will definitely reread in the future to truly understand the meanings that it relays. Thank you again for the recommend.

[@libsreads9622]

I just read The Revolt because of your recommendation and absolutely loved it

[@WillowTalksBooks]

That's great news! Glad I didn't steer you wrong!

[@macylightfoot]

The Mad Women's Ball did just come out on Prime, and I really liked it. Not sure how close it stuck to the book, but from your description of it, it sounds pretty close. The ending felt rushed, I guess, I've seen some people complaining about that, but it worked for me simply because when it comes to the patriarchy and women's suffering, I don't think there is an ending, there's just small moments snatched from the endless cycle of oppression. But again, I don't know how close it sticks to the book. It's a really great film though, and it made me want to read the book, and look into more French writing, which makes this video very fortuitous for me. I'm adding all of them to my TBR!

[@WillowTalksBooks]

"Small moments snatched from the endless cycle of oppression" is such a powerful and poignant phrase! I'm using that :) And you're right!

[@martynabrewczyk3023]

I've actually blew through the Mirror visitor series (the first three books) on audiobook earlier on this year.. It's by no means the best fantasy series I've ever read, but I've had a lot of fun with it. Escapism in the purest form ;) I've actually read another French novel in August "No touching" by Ketty Rouf and I've really enjoyed it - I'd be curious to hear your thoughts about it if you ever get hold of it!

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Ooh, I'll certainly check out No Touching, thanks! And I'm very close to finding a moment to properly check out Mirror Visitor :)

[@tinakover385]

As the translator of NO TOUCHING I am so glad you enjoyed it, Martyna!

[@sampurnadas3810]

The revolt book was cool. Checking out the others!

[@ameliareads589]

Finally found the time to watch this. Love French literature. Big thing over here, we have a lot of it translated into German. Have read a lot of great stuff over the years.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

If you have more French lit than we do, I will be offended and upset for weeks and weeks.

[@ameliareads589]

@@WillowTalksBooks Well, I assume we have. But please don't feel upset and offended. We are just more close with them, you know? 😉😘 But most obviously the UK has amazing booktubers...💙💚💛🧡💜

[@glendaw5221]

I can tell I will love this video but must save it for later to fully enjoy. I’m on Grandma Duty! Cheers.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

I really hope you do love it! 💜

[@ScrambleCaste]

Some of these book prompts are so unique. How do you discover these books? I want to keep finding unique books like these

[@jassdad5202]

I can't remember if you read The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa. I'm reading it now and it's excellent

[@WillowTalksBooks]

It was my first Ogawa novel and it made me an instant fan :) Glad you're enjoying!

[@BukaGeorgia]

How is it that i trust only you with book recommendations

[@WillowTalksBooks]

It's because I have the best opinions. In fact, the only opinions that are worth anything at all. (Jokes aside, this is such a huge compliment, thank you)

[@miyayume_eclectic_dream]

Wow! I like 7h ago found that book on the shelf. Because it was the only one I would like to say it found me. I was like 30min in the bookshop without picking anything....ready to give up for the day when it happend. I am really curiose how will it turn.

[@ipshitajee]

14:44 reminds me so much of Perfume by Patrick Süskind

[@inspirationlab1444]

Like your videos a lot ... I do have one request... If it seems reasonable to you... Please mention the books in a list below in the description in all your videos....thanks

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Yeah I often mean to do this with my longer lists and then forget. I'll add it later

[@inspirationlab1444]

@@WillowTalksBooks Great... And I really love how you explain everything with passion. Most book tubers don't do that. I hope your channel gets the attention it deserves. Good luck....

[@WillowTalksBooks]

@@inspirationlab1444 Thank you!

[@artiesolomon3292]

Great reviews and summaries, but Decoin is pronounced [dikwen] the n is nazalized. Thank you for all your hard work.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Five years of forgotten high school French just came rushing back as I smacked my forehead and said "of course!"

[@shakespeareandspice]

I want all of these now lol. Shit. Ty for the recs. 😅

[@WillowTalksBooks]

Haha I never know whether to say you're welcome or sorry

[@mikkareads]

I need to give French literature another try! Some years ago, I read a few French novels one after the other - and hated all of them. With a vengeance. Books literally flew through the room. (And apparently, I have completely erased the titles from my mind. No, wait, one of them was "La Disparition de Stephanie Mailer", "The disappearance of Stephanie Mailer". Many people love it, I think it's a hot mess, and not in the fun way.) After that, it became a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy, but I think I'm ready for a fresh start.

[@indie8189]

What do you think of "Fresh Water for Flowers" by Valerie Perrin? I loved it.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

I haven't read it but I'll certainly check it out!

[@yonathanasefaw9001]

Is there a place to buy the original books in French?

[@WillowTalksBooks]

France? lol sorry I'm really not sure

[@yonathanasefaw9001]

@@WillowTalksBooks that's ok. I guess Google will suffice.

[@agnibhabanerjee7995]

Reading recommendations from a stranger: try Nightwood by Djuna Barnes and Our Lady of the Flowers by Jean Genet (if you haven't already). PS. I really enjoy your work, the videos on Ishiguro especially were stellar!!

[@user-jb4oh8jo2n]

I am currently creating an online French literature course to be marketed and sold by my company, LinguaTute. This would be an 8-week long course consisting of one live class (1.5hrs) every week, which will be taught by a PhD French literature student at Oxford University. I'd really love to hear people's opinions on what should be included in this French literature course - in return I can offer you a 10% discount on the course (which we will begin delivering around the end of May/beginning of April - specific date is still to be decided). If you would like to have a chat with me and help to shape the future of this course, please respond to this comment. Thank you!!

[@user-cg2qs4vs4c]

It's so strange, that to find any recomendations about french books you need another language.

[@AnnNovella]

I loved this book, but the ending ruined it for me.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

I'm guessing you mean Mad Women's Ball? And yeah the ending left a bad taste in my mouth too.

[@AnnNovella]

@@WillowTalksBooks I'm sorry, that's the one I meant.

[@fintonmainz7845]

"I do not like war: I'm a pacifist" A lot of thought went into that remark.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

I don’t know what this means. You’re probably much much smarter than I am

[@fintonmainz7845]

@@WillowTalksBooks Sadly, it would appear so and I'm not very bright.

[@WillowTalksBooks]

@@fintonmainz7845 I wouldn’t think so if you judge a person based on an off-hand comment. But I made the choice to start a YT channel so people like you are gonna come along from time to time.

[@fintonmainz7845]

@@WillowTalksBooks You're judging "people like me" based on a one off comment.