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Need some easy French books | ||
 Language Learning Forum : Books, Literature & Reading |  | |
| .automne Diglot Groupie Norway Joined 5818 days ago 56 posts - 57 votes  Speaks: Norwegian*, English Studies: French | Message 1 of 19 07 February 2009 at 1:21pm | IP Logged |
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I'm currently working my way through my first French book (yes, yes, no prizes for guessing which one), but it's time to consider which book(s) to read next. I would very much appreciate it if someone could recommend me some relatively easy French books, preferably not too long.
Thank in advance. 1 person has voted this message useful | |
| Seraven Newbie Canada Joined 6294 days ago 2 posts - 2 votes Speaks: English* Studies: French | Message 2 of 19 07 February 2009 at 2:36pm | IP Logged |
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I'm not sure what your French level's at, but, if you're willing to challenge yourself a little, I'd recommend reading something by Albert Camus. He has a very simple, straight-forward prose style similar to Hemingway. I have L'ÉTRANGER and, while I haven't read it yet, from what I've gleaned from it, it shouldn't give you too much trouble. Maybe someone will disagree with me. Either way, at least you'll be reading something interesting.
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| dolly Senior Member United States Joined 5780 days ago 191 posts - 376 votes Speaks: English* Studies: Latin | Message 3 of 19 07 February 2009 at 4:12pm | IP Logged |
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My first French book was a translation of the Bible called Parole de Vie. It's written in français fondemental (only 3000 vocabulary words).
Jacques Prévert wrote in simple language, and this is a dual language edition of some of his poems: http://www.amazon.com/Paroles-Selected-Lights-Pocket-French/ dp/0872860426/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1234043323&sr= 8-12 1 person has voted this message useful | |
| diabolo menthe Diglot Groupie United Kingdom Joined 5963 days ago 68 posts - 70 votes Speaks: English*, French Studies: Italian, Swedish, Japanese | Message 4 of 19 08 February 2009 at 4:34am | IP Logged |
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I would agree that L'étranger is of an easier level.
I would also suggest French translations of books you might have already read. I once read Nick Hornby's High Fidelity in French (though I haven't actually read it in English), and it was one of the easiest reads I've had. 1 person has voted this message useful | |
| .automne Diglot Groupie Norway Joined 5818 days ago 56 posts - 57 votes Speaks: Norwegian*, English Studies: French | Message 5 of 19 09 February 2009 at 9:46am | IP Logged |
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Thanks to everyone who took the time to reply.
I would have expected L'étranger to be rather difficult, but I'm glad to hear it's not. De toute façon, merci beaucoup pour votre aide! 1 person has voted this message useful | |
| Sennin Senior Member Bulgaria Joined 6024 days ago 1457 posts - 1759 votes 5 sounds | Message 6 of 19 09 February 2009 at 11:30am | IP Logged |
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Le petit prince is probably the most obvious choice, but it is not as simple as you might first think.
There are some fun children's book out there. Personally I really enjoined "On a un monstre dans la classe". Really neat humour, especially if you are 10 years old ;p. Here's the book on amazon: http://www.amazon.fr/un-monstre-dans-classe/dp/2092507265 Hey, it's only 5 euro! Edited by Sennin on 09 February 2009 at 11:32am 1 person has voted this message useful | |
| gebandemuishond Newbie France Joined 5805 days ago 5 posts - 6 votes Speaks: English* Studies: French | Message 7 of 19 09 February 2009 at 12:10pm | IP Logged |
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Le Petit Nicolas - I think was the first french book I ever read and I'd definitely recommend it. It's told from the perspective of a ten-year old boy, and as such it uses fairly simple language, e.g. no passé simple (apart from one chapter which is a slightly tongue in cheek narration of a football match). It's also full of wry, humourous observations on the sometimes strange behaviour of adults, making it a very entertaining read.
Otherwise, I've found La grammaire est une chanson douce and The Chevaliers du Subjonctif by Erik Orsena to be good reads, and don't worry, they're stories not textbooks! Dan 2 persons have voted this message useful | |
| !LH@N Triglot Senior Member Germany Joined 6811 days ago 487 posts - 531 votes Speaks: German, Turkish*, English Studies: Serbo-Croatian, Spanish | Message 8 of 19 10 February 2009 at 12:11pm | IP Logged |
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You might want to take a look at Harry Potter, too. I just finished it (my first book in French) and it seemed very easy (I guess the reason is because I know some of the movies).
Regards, Ilhan 1 person has voted this message useful |
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