Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
What we're reading

Find your new favourite book or recommend one on our Book forum.

Original poster

Middle-brow novels set in France?

54 replies

Lovage · 22/05/2014 21:18

I'm off to France for my hols and I'd love to read some novels set in France while I'm there. Not high-brow stuff, because I just know I won't fancy it while I'm away. So no Zola or Victor Hugo, thanks. I like chick lit when I'm on holiday, as well as it's reasonably well-written and not too formulaic. But something a bit more challenging than that kind of thing would also be fine too.

Can anyone recommend anything?

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
FrancesNiadova · 09/06/2014 07:18

Ooh yes, I second Pagnol' s Jean de Florette & Manon des Sources. Might have to re-read them myself now!

Original poster
Lovage · 07/06/2014 21:42

Excellent! Keep 'em coming.

I had no idea there were further books in the Love in a Cold Climate series, and both set in France, ideal! Thank you very much riverboat1, I have bought The Blessing as well as Don't Tell Alfred (I love Alfred, he is my favourite character even though you never get much of him).

Thanks clearsommespace. I've not got on terribly well with Carol Shields before, but I might try this one.

Ilovemyteddy, the foundling boy does look good but is currently above my self-imposed limit of £5 (I mostly buy secondhand books (or Kindle cheapies), but it's clearly in demand secondhand too). I may buy it anyway as a holiday luxury.

And I've bought The Chateau, swanhildapirrouetting, thank you.

OP posts:
ilovemyteddy · 03/06/2014 20:41

The Foundling Boy by Michel Deon. A modern French classic, now available in English from the lovely people at Gallic Press, it's fabulous and funny.

clearsommespace · 02/06/2014 13:06

Lovage, I've remembered, it's this
Nothing to do with France!

riverboat1 · 01/06/2014 16:02

Definitely The Paris Wife - sounds a bit highbrow what with the Ernest Hemingway connection, but it really isn't at all, it's a stonkingly good read and hugely touching. One of the best books I read last year. It has really stayed with me.

The 'Year in the Merde' etc books by Stephen Clark aren't novels exactly, but are quite funny adn novel-esque and give a good insight into the reality of moving to France as a Brit.

Someone above mentioned HE Bates 'Fair Stood the Wind For France' which is a beautiful novel, I very much second that.

If you've read any of Nancy Mitford's books (particularly 'Love in a Cold Climate') you might like 'Don't Tell Alfred' which is set in the diplomatic world of Paris.

Last year I read a more modern novel set in Paris, 'The Left Bank' by Kate Muir. I suppose is pretty much middle-brow. It was OK, and very Parisien - not as good as any of the books I've mentioned above though.

Muskey · 31/05/2014 14:51

Actually thinking about it might read it again myself also mistral's daughter.

InternetFOREVER · 31/05/2014 12:20

Not sure if they're too low-brow for your tastes but Anna Maxted writes above average chick lit, often set in France. I find her books have a great holiday feel.
Also Super Cannes by JG Ballad?

DuchessofMalfi · 31/05/2014 12:16

Muskey - H E Bates. I read it ages ago - was very good. May read again Smile

Muskey · 31/05/2014 11:23

How about fair stood the wind for France (can't remember who wrote it) love story set in ww2

Swanhildapirouetting · 31/05/2014 11:20

The Chateau

skolastica · 29/05/2014 07:59

'The House of the Hanged' by Mark Mills is set on the french riviera - I didn't think it was anywhere near as good as the enthusiastic cover blurb told me it would be.

skolastica · 29/05/2014 07:55

Sybille Bedford's ' Jigsaw: An Unsentimental Education' is wonderfully evocative of the south of France. It's a mixture of autobiography and fiction and captures the crazy carefreee world of artists, writers and dilettantes in the 1920s. I found it to be intelligent, highly accesible and a fascinating read.

5Foot5 · 27/05/2014 21:49

Have you tried Marcel Pagnol's Water of the Hills series? I.e. Jean de Florette and Manon of the Springs.

Original poster
Lovage · 25/05/2014 21:47

Thanks, Hallsal I've read 'The Way I Found Her' and can't remember whether I loved or hated it! I find I tend to be either love or hate with Rose Tremain in general. Loved Restoration and Music and Silence, mostly forgotten the names of the ones I hated.

OP posts:
Halsall · 25/05/2014 11:34

Another Rose Tremain, The Way I Found Her. I love this book - it's narrated by a young boy living in Paris; all sorts of unexpected and amusing things happen to him, but it's serious at heart.

It does tend to divide people, though. Some I recommended it to also loved it, some didn't!

VivaLeBeaver · 24/05/2014 17:27

night rainbow also very good

Not chick lit at all and I've recommended it to friends who have all loved it.

overthemill · 24/05/2014 17:08

Trespass by rose tremain

OverAndAbove · 24/05/2014 17:06

Bonjour Tristesse or A Certain Smile (both by Francoise Sagan)

Original poster
Lovage · 24/05/2014 13:58

Ah, contemporary man growing a labyrinth sounds fun, clearsommespace - if you remember the title, let me know!

I think I've read all the Mary Stewarts there are, although I like the Arthurian ones best (some of which are in Brittany, I now remember, but I think I've read them too many times to want to give them holiday baggage room)

OP posts:
jamaisjedors · 24/05/2014 13:54

You could try the Cleaner of Chartres, by Salley Vickers. I didn't finish it but that's because I skipped to the end as usual and spoiled it for myself

BikeRunSki · 24/05/2014 13:46

I was also going to recommend The Paris Wife.

Parliamo · 24/05/2014 13:44

Madame Bovary is not too much hard work is it? (vague memories from uni)

Parliamo · 24/05/2014 13:43

And thunder on the right, and nine coaches waiting. I love mary Stewart.

cowsarescary · 24/05/2014 13:38

'Madam will you talk' by Mary Stewart.