Can anyone recommend any modern French novels?

Question

I would like to improve my French my reading some modern novels but don't have an idea where to look or who the authors are. Please help!

Answer 1

Not everything on my list is high literature, but here goes (in no particular order):

Jean-Christophe Grangé: Le Vol des cygognes, Les Rivières pourpres, Le Concile de pierre (if you like Dan Brown in English)

Pierre Boulle: Le Pont de la rivière Kwaï, La Planète des singes (two excellent famous stories; the latter is brilliant, even if you've seen both American film versions!)

René Barjavel: La Nuit des temps, Ravage (cool sci-fi)

Amélie Nothomb (Belgian author born in Japan): Stupeur et tremblements, Péplum

Albert Camus: all his work is great, but my favorite is La Chute

Hope you find something that interests you. Bonne lecture!

Answer 2

Albert Camus is a good start. 'L'Etranger' is easy to understand for French learners because the sentences are short and it's mostly written in present tense. The story is also baiting, but that's a plus.

Boris Vian can be interesting as well. He has written a couple of short stories published in a book called 'Les Fourmis'. Again, as it is short stories, I think it's easier to go through. It's a modern language, no tricks whatsoever. Another not too difficult novella from this writer is 'J'irais cracher sur vos tombes'.

There is, of course, 'Le Petit Prince' from St-Exupéry. Easy and entertaining.

Answer 3

This is not modern, but still good for several reasons:
The Count of Monte Christo

It should be readily available in French and English helping you with problem sentences.

Answer 4

I almost had an answer I do remember one novels at this moment blank

Answer 5

How about:

French du freak (by a la boeuffe)