Reading list: French Literature 
French literature, renowned for its profound impact on European thought, includes major works written in French, ranging from medieval chansons de geste to Enlightenment philosophy and 19th-century masterpieces. Key figures like Victor Hugo, Gustave Flaubert, Albert Camus, and Voltaire explored societal, existential, and philosophical themes. It is characterized by a strong tradition of analyzing human nature and society.
Wikipedia
Wikipedia
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Key Periods and Movements
Medieval (11th–15th Century): The Song of Roland (chanson de geste).
17th–18th Century (Classicism & Enlightenment): Molière, Racine, Voltaire (Candide), Rousseau.
19th Century (Romanticism, Realism, Naturalism): Victor Hugo (Les Misérables), Alexandre Dumas (The Count of Monte Cristo), Gustave Flaubert (Madame Bovary), Émile Zola.
20th Century (Modernism & Existentialism): Albert Camus (The Stranger), Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (The Little Prince), Marcel Proust, Simone de Beauvoir.
Wikipedia
Wikipedia
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Essential Classic Works
Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
The Stranger by Albert Camus
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Candide by Voltaire
Bloomsbury Publishing (UK)
Bloomsbury Publishing (UK)
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Francophone Literature
Beyond France, French literature includes significant works from Belgium, Switzerland, Canada, and Senegal (e.g., David Diop), often referred to as Francophone literature.
Wikipedia
Wikipedia
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Distinctive Characteristics
French literature is deeply rooted in cultural debate, with writers often acting as public intellectuals or philosophers of everyday life. It covers a wide range of styles, from the structured plays of the 17th century to the raw, psychological exploration of the 20th century.
The Ritual of Reading
The Ritual of Reading
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