What we’re about
Welcome to The French Book Club (Online)!
We are Les Rats de Bibliothèque (the French equivalent for bookworm)
Each month, we read a different French book and meet online to discuss it in French. We read a variety of books, focusing on those originally written in French, not too long, with accessible language.
We'll be kicking off 2024 with simpler books, gradually delving into longer reads as the year goes on. We're aiming to include books from a range of genres from about the mid-20th century on.
Whether you're learning or maintaining French, or you're a French native, this club is for you!
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ATTENTION!
SONDAGE: If you haven't already, please help us choose future books to read by taking this online poll.
Upcoming events (4)
See all- French Book Club: Ru (Option 1)Link visible for attendees
***Note***
We will be discussing the entire book during this meeting and the meeting of June 3. You can attend either one.
***We are excited to announce that our next book club selection is the poignant and beautifully crafted novel "Ru" by Kim Thúy, to be read in its original French edition. This autobiographical novel has touched the hearts of readers worldwide with its lyrical and evocative storytelling.
The style of Ru has been described as auto-fiction, and it weaves through time, flowing like a river of sensuous memories. It tells the tale of a woman’s experiences as a boat person leaving Vietnam, her time in a refugee camp in Malaysia, and her life as an early immigrant in Granby, Quebec. The novel is written in 144 unnumbered vignettes, sharing memories across different environments.
Title: Ru
Author: Kim Thúy
Published: 2009
Pages: 152Why "Ru"?
- Cultural and Historical Insight: "Ru," meaning "lullaby" in Vietnamese and "stream" in French, offers a unique perspective on the Vietnamese immigrant experience in Canada. It's a journey from a war-torn Vietnam to the search for a new life in Quebec, told through a series of vignettes.
- Language Experience: Written in a simple yet elegant French, this novel provides an excellent opportunity for club members to immerse themselves in the French language in a very accessible way.
- Themes of Identity and Adaptation: The book delves into themes of displacement, identity, and the adaptation to a new culture, all of which resonate deeply in today's global context.
- Award-Winning Literature: Kim Thuy's "Ru" has garnered critical acclaim, winning several awards and nominations, including the Governor General's Award for French-language fiction.
«Kim Thúy nous berce autant qu'elle nous bouleverse.»
-Elle«Plus qu'un livre, une révélation.»
-Les ÊchosTo participate:
1. Read the French edition of the book (how to find books in French)
2. Pour a glass of wine and join our online meeting to discuss what you thought about it (en Français).Resources:
Looking ahead:
SONDAGE: If you haven't already, please help us choose future books to read by taking this online poll. - French Book Club: Ru (Option 2)Link visible for attendees
***Meeting Option 2****
We will be discussing the entire book during this meeting and the meeting on Wednesday, May 29. You can select either one.We are excited to announce that our next book club selection is the poignant and beautifully crafted novel "Ru" by Kim Thúy, to be read in its original French edition. This autobiographical novel has touched the hearts of readers worldwide with its lyrical and evocative storytelling.
The style of Ru has been described as auto-fiction, and it weaves through time, flowing like a river of sensuous memories. It tells the tale of a woman’s experiences as a boat person leaving Vietnam, her time in a refugee camp in Malaysia, and her life as an early immigrant in Granby, Quebec. The novel is written in 144 unnumbered vignettes, sharing memories across different environments.
Title: Ru
Author: Kim Thúy
Published: 2009
Pages: 152Why "Ru"?
- Cultural and Historical Insight: "Ru," meaning "lullaby" in Vietnamese and "stream" in French, offers a unique perspective on the Vietnamese immigrant experience in Canada. It's a journey from a war-torn Vietnam to the search for a new life in Quebec, told through a series of vignettes.
- Language Experience: Written in a simple yet elegant French, this novel provides an excellent opportunity for club members to immerse themselves in the French language in a very accessible way.
- Themes of Identity and Adaptation: The book delves into themes of displacement, identity, and the adaptation to a new culture, all of which resonate deeply in today's global context.
- Award-Winning Literature: Kim Thuy's "Ru" has garnered critical acclaim, winning several awards and nominations, including the Governor General's Award for French-language fiction.
«Kim Thúy nous berce autant qu'elle nous bouleverse.»
-Elle«Plus qu'un livre, une révélation.»
-Les ÊchosTo participate:
1. Read the French edition of the book (how to find books in French)
2. Pour a glass of wine and join our online meeting to discuss what you thought about it (en Français).Resources:
Looking ahead:
SONDAGE: If you haven't already, please help us choose future books to read by taking this online poll. - French Book Club: Chanson douce (Option 1)Link visible for attendees
Title: Chanson douce
Author: Leïla Slimani
Published: 2016
Pages: 240(This is the first option to meet to discuss this novel. You can choose between this or the second, scheduled for Monday, July 8. You can also find some samples from the book and other additional info in that post.)
Next up: The finale of part I of our reading year, in which we will immerse ourselves in the gripping and psychologically intense world of Leïla Slimani's Chanson douce.
To participate:
1. Read the French edition of the book (how to find books in French)
2. Pour a glass of wine and join our online meeting to discuss what you thought about it (en Français).Background of 'Chanson douce': Chanson douce, published in 2016, quickly garnered widespread attention and acclaim, winning the prestigious Prix Goncourt in the same year. The novel is set in Paris and revolves around a young couple, Myriam and Paul, who hire a nanny, Louise, to care for their two young children. What seems like an idyllic solution soon unravels into a chilling drama that explores the complexities of parental guilt, class tensions, and the psychological unraveling of a seemingly perfect nanny.
Why Chanson douce is well-known: Leïla Slimani's novel stands out for its masterful storytelling, crisp prose, and its unflinching exploration of uncomfortable truths about parenthood, trust, and dependence. The story's opening with a shocking crime sets a suspenseful tone, compelling readers to understand the hows and whys of the tragedy. The book has not only been a bestseller in France but has also received international acclaim, resonating with audiences globally for its universal themes and Slimani's skillful narrative craft.
Why someone would want to read it: Chanson douce is a compelling read for anyone fascinated by psychological thrillers and character-driven narratives. The book offers a nuanced and often disturbing look at the dynamics of power, loneliness, and desperation. Our book club session will provide a rich ground for discussing the multifaceted characters, the societal commentary Slimani weaves into the narrative, and the moral complexities presented in the book. Readers looking for a thought-provoking, emotionally engaging, and intellectually stimulating experience will find Chanson douce a perfect fit.
It it hard to read? Chanson douce is actually easier to read than most of the previous books we've read. It has very straight-forward style and is not overly descriptive, so the vocabulary is more like conversation than most novels. So although it's a bit longer than others we've read, it didn't take me (Will) longer to read. (I actually started it early because I thought it would take longer than usual, but in fact it was the opposite.) I'll also add here that although I haven't read a ton of books in French, this is my favorite. If you just pick one to read from the club, make it this one!
Author interview
Check out this interview with the author on La Grande Library, in which she discusses "Chanson douce" as well as her first book, "Dans le jardin de l’ogre."Looking ahead:
SONDAGE: If you haven't already, please help us choose future books to read by taking this online poll. - French Book Club: Chanson douce (Option 2)Link visible for attendees
Title: Chanson douce
Author: Leïla Slimani
Published: 2016
Pages: 240(This is the second option to meet to discuss this novel. You can choose between this or the first, scheduled for Wednesday, June 26. You can also find some samples from the book and other additional info in that post.)
Next up: The finale of part I of our reading year, in which we will immerse ourselves in the gripping and psychologically intense world of Leïla Slimani's Chanson douce.
This book club meeting is an excellent opportunity for those who are captivated by contemporary French literature and are interested in exploring themes of family dynamics, societal pressures, and psychological suspense.
To participate:
1. Read the French edition of the book (how to find books in French)
2. Pour a glass of wine and join our online meeting to discuss what you thought about it (en Français).Background of 'Chanson douce': Chanson douce, published in 2016, quickly garnered widespread attention and acclaim, winning the prestigious Prix Goncourt in the same year. The novel is set in Paris and revolves around a young couple, Myriam and Paul, who hire a nanny, Louise, to care for their two young children. What seems like an idyllic solution soon unravels into a chilling drama that explores the complexities of parental guilt, class tensions, and the psychological unraveling of a seemingly perfect nanny.
Why Chanson douce is well-known: Leïla Slimani's novel stands out for its masterful storytelling, crisp prose, and its unflinching exploration of uncomfortable truths about parenthood, trust, and dependence. The story's opening with a shocking crime sets a suspenseful tone, compelling readers to understand the hows and whys of the tragedy. The book has not only been a bestseller in France but has also received international acclaim, resonating with audiences globally for its universal themes and Slimani's skillful narrative craft.
Why someone would want to read it: Chanson douce is a compelling read for anyone fascinated by psychological thrillers and character-driven narratives. The book offers a nuanced and often disturbing look at the dynamics of power, loneliness, and desperation. Our book club session will provide a rich ground for discussing the multifaceted characters, the societal commentary Slimani weaves into the narrative, and the moral complexities presented in the book. Readers looking for a thought-provoking, emotionally engaging, and intellectually stimulating experience will find Chanson douce a perfect fit.
It it hard to read? Chanson douce is actually easier to read than most of the previous books we've read. It has very straight-forward style and is not overly descriptive, so the vocabulary is more like conversation than most novels. So although it's a bit longer than others we've read, it didn't take me (Will) longer to read. (I actually started it early because I thought it would take longer than usual, but in fact it was the opposite.) I'll also add here that although I haven't read a ton of books in French, this is my favorite. If you just pick one to read from the club, make it this one!
Author interview
Check out this interview with the author on La Grande Library, in which she discusses "Chanson douce" as well as her first book, "Dans le jardin de l’ogre."Looking ahead:
SONDAGE: If you haven't already, please help us choose future books to read by taking this online poll.
