Francophone Literature To Read | Where to Start?

Getting started with Francophone literature

Simone de Beauvoir, Victor Hugo, Voltaire… you’ve probably already heard about all those classic writers from France! But did you know that French-speaking authors come from all over the world? 🌍 In this article, you’ll find plenty of Francophone literature to read — amazing novelists who open the door to new cultures, perspectives and stories… all while helping you improve your French! 

Ready for take-off? 😉🛫

Swiss page-turners

Le livre des Baltimore by Joël Dicker

Joël Dicker is a Swiss writer who knows how to keep the readers hooked! Le livre des Baltimore tells the story of a wealthy family living in Baltimore, seen through the eyes of their admiring cousin. He and his two cousins are inseparable, talented, and full of promise — but right from the start, you know that something is going to go wrong!

I read this book myself, and I can tell you it’s a real page-turner! The story is both hilarious (I laughed out loud a few times!) and full of suspense. 

La vérité sur l’affaire Harry Québert

The Baltimore Boys is actually part of a trilogy featuring the narrator, Marcus Goldman — a 30-something ambitious and witty writer wannabe! One of the other novels in the series is the best-seller The truth about the Harry Quebert affair, which you might have already heard of. It’s another gripping thriller that has even been adapted into a TV series (starring Patrick Dempsey!). It’s a really addictive book as well.

As for the third one… I haven’t read it (yet) but I know it’s called L’affaire Alaska Sanders — so feel free to make up your own mind. 😉

➡️ Love travel adventures? You might also enjoy reading Swiss explorer Sarah Marquis!

Belgian best-selling authors

Stupeur et Tremblements by Amélie Nothomb

Amélie Nothomb is one of Belgium’s most famous writers. She was born in Japan and spent her early childhood there before moving back to Europe at the age of 5. Her most famous novel Fear and Trembling, tells the personal story of her return to Japan at the age of 24 to work for a prestigious company as an interpreter. But her dream quickly turns into a deep culture shock!

It’s a brilliant (and very funny) book about the challenges of adapting to a new culture — something many language learners can relate to!

Tintin by Hergé

Are you more into comics? Then you HAVE TO (re)discover Hergé and his world-famous Adventures of Tintin  — a Belgian classic! Tintin is a young reporter who travels across continents (with his dog Milou!) to solve mysteries, and meet many different people along the way.

It’s a fun way to dive into French, especially if you prefer lighter reads!

➡️ Don’t know where to start? Try Tintin au Tibet, it’s a must-read. 😉

Francophone African writers

Here are three very famous Francophone writers in Africa.

Petit Pays by Gaël Faye

Gaël Faye is a Rwandan-French author and rapper, who was born in Burundi in 1982. At the age of 13, he had to flee the country because of the civil war and the genocide against the Tutsi.

His novel Small Country is inspired by his own story. Through the innocent eyes of a young boy, he paints a moving and powerful portrait of life before and during the conflict. 

It’s poetic, it’s tough and it’s deeply touching... A great read if you want to discover a piece of African history while practicing your French. 

Bonus: Petit Pays has also been adapted into a movie if you want to dive even deeper!

➡️ Curious to learn more about French-speaking cultures around the globe? Don’t miss our article on Francophone cultures worldwide! 🌍

Le pays des autres by Leïla Slimani

Leila Slimani is French-Moroccan journalist and author. In The country of others, she tells the story of Mathilde, a young French woman who falls in love with Amine, a Moroccan soldier, during World War II. After the war, Mathilde follows Amine to Morocco, where life quickly becomes a challenge: the harsh climate, the isolation, and the mistrust she faces as a foreigner weigh heavily on her.

Against the backdrop of Morocco’s growing fight for independence, Le pays des autres explores the clash of cultures, the struggles of identity, and the feminist cause.

Ce que le jour doit à la nuit by Yasmina Khadra

You’ve probably heard of Yasmina Khadra — he’s one of the most famous Algerian authors. In What the Day Owes the Night, he paints a powerful portrait of colonial Algeria between 1936 and 1962.

Younes is a young boy caught between two worlds. Raised by his uncle like a European, he meets his best friends and falls in love for the first time... But soon, the teenager finds himself caught in the middle of a war that is tearing his country apart.

It’s a beautiful, intense novel — a must-read if you want to dive deep into Algeria’s history and soul.

➡️ Did you know? World-renowned author Albert Camus, born in Algeria, also set many of his best-sellers there — like The Stranger and The Plague.

The Franco-Iranian comic book Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

Persepolis is a graphic novel by Iranian-French author Marjane Satrapi. Through comic book style black-and-white illustrations, the author tells the story of her childhood, and early adulthood during and after the Islamic Revolution in Iran.

Raised in a progressive family, she’s a rebellious teen struggling to make sense of the changes happening around her. We follow her life from Iran to Austria and see history through her eyes — with honesty, humor, and heartbreak! 

➡️ Psst did you know? World book and copyright day is on April 23! 🥳

Francophone literature to read depending on your level

When you start reading in the language of Molière, be patient with yourself — you won’t understand every single word, and that’s perfectly fine! Thanks to the context, you’ll still follow the story and get immersed in a whole new world. Don’t give up, soon you’ll be able to read the best books in French! 💪

Francophone literature for all levels

And if it feels too challenging, you can always read the book in English first to discover the story! Here are some suggestions depending on your level:

Francophone literature for beginners

• Les aventures de Tintin;

• Perspolis — the illustrations can help with understanding!

You can also check: 

• Les Malheurs de Sophie, by la Comtesse de Ségur — the author was born and grew up in Russia! It tells the funny and mischievous adventures of a young girl growing up in an aristocratic family in the 19th century. It’s a classic!

Novels written in French for intermediate learners

• Le livre des Baltimore by Joël Dicker;

• Stupeur et Tremblements by Amélie Nothomb;

• Petit Pays by Gaël Faye;

• La Peste by Albert Camus.

Francophone literature for advanced learners

You can try reading those novels:

• Le pays des autres by Leïla Slimani;

• Ce que le jour doit à la nuit by Yasmina Khadra.

Other francophone authors:

• Maryse Condé — a famous Guadeloupean author;

• Balzac et la petite tailleuse chinoise by Dai Sijie — a Chinese writer;

• The Cameroonian writer Léonora Miano (she tackles very tough subjects).

See, Francophone literature is not just about Le petit Prince (even though it’s great 😉) — there’s a world of incredible French-speaking authors to discover out there! I hope this article helped you get some inspiration for your next read. 📚✨ 

And if you have other suggestions, feel free to share them by dropping a comment below — I’m always happy to get some new book recommendations! 

➡️ Want to chat about literature (or anything else!) in French? Our conversation group is the perfect place for you — join us! 🎉