has anyone read Jean du Florette?

[goingslowlynuts]

Have been given this book and been told its a must read. Have started it, on chap 5 but am finding it a bit hard work. I can see that its a good story but struggling with the french names i think! I feel very ashamed that names in a different language are putting me off a book.
Does anyone else ever feel like this?
If you've read it, shall i perservere?

I love, love, love Marcel Pagnol. I think it helped that I had seen both films before I read the books. Do stick with it, I think it is worth it.

Yes, I read it (in French!) at school. Loved it although it does take a while to get going. Would also highly recommend the films.

Yes, did it for A level French at school. The film is good as I recall!

I've read it, though only after seeing the film. I seem to recall that Pagnol was also a film-maker/screenwriter, and on reading the book I thought it came across more as a screenplay than a novel. Tbh I didn't feel particularly gripped by it, although that my be because I was reading an English translation.

I really think it's worth persevering with. It is very beautiful as is Manon de Source. As I recall (I read it before kids) the language is very rich so you may want to find decent spells of uninterrupted time to really get immersed.