French Literature

By risking mixing progressive metaphors, French literature has been known for being one step ahead of the literary curve. Before Anglophone poets and T.S. Eliot found a way to write about modern cities, Baudelaire was already, not one, but two steps ahead of them. Not to mention that Flaubert influenced English writers Henry James, James Joyce, and many others.

When it comes to medieval romantic novels, French writers are the troubadours leading the way. Below we're paying homage to Francophone writers and French literature by sharing dozens of classic French pieces and book summaries as well as biographies of the most famous French writers.

Below you'll find a list of book summaries from authors that influenced the French literature and left their mark in the writing world.

Alexandre Dumas

One of the most successful French writers translated to almost 100 languages. Most of his works were first published as serials.

• The Count of Monte Cristo
• The Man in the Iron Mask
• The Three Musketeers

Charles Perrault

French writer from 17th century, considered to be the founder of the most popular genre for children - fairy tales.

• Bluebeard
• Cinderella
• Donkeyskin
• Griselda
• Little Red Riding Hood
• Little Thumb
• Puss in Boots
• Ricky of the Tuft
• The Fairies
• The Ridiculous Wishes
• The Sleeping Beauty in the Woods

Edmond Rostand

Edmond Eugene Alexis Rostand was a French author who wrote romantic plays, mostly written in verse, that provided strong roles for many actors.

• Cyrano de Bergerac

Guy de Maupassant

Famous French writer from a realism era. His teacher Gustav Flober introduced him to Emile Zola, Ivan Turgenev, and many more important writers from realism and naturalism era.

• Bel Ami
• On the River
• Two Friends

Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont

French author best known for her version of The Beauty and the Beast. She wrote fairy tales and novels.

• Beauty and the Beast

Jules Verne

French novel writer and the pioneer of science-fiction. He wrote his first novel in 1862 at the age of 34.

• 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
• Around the World In Eighty Days
• From the Earth to the Moon
• Journey to the Center of the Earth

Marcel Proust

French novelist from a bourgeois family. His cliterary life work begins after death of his parents. He received the Prix Goncourt in 1918.

• Combray
• Swann in Love

Moliere

Jean-Baptiste Poqelin Moliere was a famous French comedy writer. He is one of the best writers of golden era in French playwriting.

• Don Juan
• L'Impromptu de Versailles
• Tartuffe
• The Imaginary Invalid
• The Misanthrope
• The Miser

Victor Hugo

French poet, dramatic and novel writer. He was active in the 60’s of the 19th century as well as before and afrer romanticism.

• Les Miserables
• The Hunchback of Notre-Dame