martha

We don't leave for France until the end of April but I'm already about to implode from excitement--we didn't make it to Europe last year and I'm going through withdrawal. I've pretty much memorized my guidebooks and numerous movies. What should I read? We're actually starting off in Bruge, thanks to all the Bruges fans on the list, then hitting the Alps and Burgundy before returning to Paris. <BR>I bought some Collette (in French), but I'm open to both nonfiction and fiction.

dan

"The Hunchback of Notre-Dame" by Hugo <BR> <BR>"Sun also Rises by Hemingway" (although about half of it takes place in Spain) <BR> <BR>"A Tale of Two Cities" by Dickens (about the French Revolution) <BR> <BR>I would also read something on French history. For this topic I would suggest going to the library and bookstore and just browsing. I studied French history extensively in grad school, but I am afraid that most of the titles and authors I can remember would be written in too scholarly of a fashion to serve your purpose (ie., they may be a little too boring and tedious to read, not to imply that you couldn't understand them). However, if you are interested in this type of book, please E-Mail me, and I can give you a list. I would just pick up something like "A Travellers History of France" or a general history of modern France. If you are interested in getting more specific, I consider the most important events/themes over the past three hundred years of French history to include: Louis XIV, the 1789 Revolution and Napoleon (you should be able to find a good book covering both), the revolutions of 1830 and 1848, the Franco-Prussian War and the insurrection of the Commune in 1871, World War I, and World War II. <BR> <BR>Many libraries have good videos (I wish I could remember the title) about gothic cathedrals and how they were built. <BR> <BR>As for other novels by French authors, I can recommend: <BR> <BR>"The Red and the Black" by Stendhal <BR> <BR>"Sentimental Education" by Flaubert <BR> <BR>"The Life of a Simple Man" by Guillaumin (about the life of a 19th century French peasant) <BR> <BR>

elvira

Simenon's Maigret stories! Don't know the author, but Hugger Mugger at the Louvre (mystery story); Madeline stories; Above Paris; Pedaling through Burgundy (it's a cookbook with descriptions of the countryside). Listen to Jacques Brel songs (in Brugge is the statue of Marieke, the girl in the Brel song "Ai Marieke"). While you're at it, listen to Piaf and Aznavour songs for the Paris mood. I haven't been to Brugge for 8 years; think it's time I made a return trip.

tina

I have been working through a very long novel about Danton and Robespierre and the French Revolution called "A Greater Place of Safety" published by Penguin. It has a level of detail which is making the places real for me. I've read some Collette, Dumas, and Traveller's Tales of France. <BR> <BR>For videos, check these out: <BR>Paris when it Sizzles with Audrey Hepburn <BR>The Moderns by Robert Altman is set in Paris in the twenties about the paris art scene <BR>An American in Paris (of course) <BR>The Man in the Iron Mask <BR>Les Miserables (not the musical unless you are a real fan) <BR> <BR>When I have told friends how much reading and research I do for a trip they tell me I really know how to make a trip last but what would be the fun of going without research or history. If I didn't take 6 months to plan a vacation I would have to take a vacation every month to stay sane. I absolutely agree. There is a string on websites in this forum for you to look at but my favorite website for getting in the mood for Paris is www.pariswater.com - all fountains and bridges.

elaine

For the Paris of the past, I always recommend reading "Between Meals" by A.J. Liebling and "A Moveable Feast" by <BR>Hemingway. The latter will especially evoke the Left Bank--you can practically walk in his footsteps if you have a map handy. <BR>For a little history, try the video of "Queen Margot" which incorporates the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre into a pretty steamy film. <BR> <BR>For the Paris of the present, however idealized, the videos I recommend are <BR>Woody Allen's "Everybody Says I Love You" and "Forget Paris", both comedies. <BR>

elaine

For the Paris of the past, I always recommend reading "Between Meals" by A.J. Liebling and "A Moveable Feast" by <BR>Hemingway. The latter will especially evoke the Left Bank--you can practically walk in his footsteps if you have a map handy. <BR>For a little history, try the video of "Queen Margot" which incorporates the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre into a pretty steamy film. <BR> <BR>For the Paris of the present, however idealized, the videos I recommend are <BR>Woody Allen's "Everybody Says I Love You" and "Forget Paris", both comedies. <BR>

elaine

For the Paris of the past, I always recommend reading "Between Meals" by A.J. Liebling and "A Moveable Feast" by <BR>Hemingway. The latter will especially evoke the Left Bank--you can practically walk in his footsteps if you have a map handy. <BR>For a little history, try the video of "Queen Margot" which incorporates the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre into a pretty steamy film. <BR> <BR>For the Paris of the present, however idealized, the videos I recommend are <BR>Woody Allen's "Everybody Says I Love You" and "Forget Paris", both comedies. <BR>

wes fowler

Martha, <BR>Don't know where you're going in France, but I assume Paris is on your itinerary; if so look for a copy of "Paris on the Seine" by Blake Ehrlich. It's out of print but your library should have it or access to it. It's a delightful, witty and remarkably thorough commentary on the streets, buildings and people of Paris. You'll get a lot of information that will make your visit and the sights you see more meaningful.

Kat

Diane Johnson's most recent novel, Le Divorce! Insightful, witty commentary on the culture clash between the U.S. and France, focussed mainly in Paris. Also, Francine Prose's novella: Three Pigs in Five Days (in the Guided Tours of Hell collection).

Caryn

I know a book that partially takes place in Brugge. It is Rightfully Mine by Doris Mortmann. It is not exactly on the same literary level as Dickens and Hemingway. This book is an historical novel about the world of antiques. I don't really remember much else b/c it's been a few years and I read SO MANY books, but part of it was about a tapestry and took place in the convent La Beguinage (sp?) which you can visit and walk around. It's sort of like a park. <BR> <BR>Actually, Doris Mortmann wrote another historical novel called Wild Rose about gypsy musicians in Hungary. Quite interesting for anyone interested in Hungarian history and music. <BR> <BR>I am quite a reader but the books mentioned here sound quite heavy to me. If you would like a general list of recommended reading and books you can't put down, please email me. It was compiled by me and some coworkers (we are all teachers) and has some good stuff from all reading categories.

dan

It might help if you tell us what type of reading you are looking for, since we are obviously suggesting a wide variety. <BR> <BR>I thought of a couple of other good novels for you: <BR> <BR>"Phantom of the Opera" by Gaston Leroux - if you enjoy reading Sherlock Holmes, you will like this one. <BR> <BR>"The American" by Henry James - about a wealthy American businessman who falls in love with a young French woman from a pretentious aristocratic family. It is a very interesting look at the clash of cultures and social classes. He and the mother just don't get along. <BR> <BR>You might also like the Madeline movie that was recently released on video - has some good Paris scenes, as do the books that someone else recommended. There is also a Harrison Ford movie on video about a guy searching for his kidnapped wife in Paris. I can't remember the title.

martha

Thanks for all the suggestions so far. In (non)answer to Dan's question, I don't know exactly what sort of books I'm looking for, but I am looking for books, not films. In my former life, I was an English graduate student, so I've read--or know about and have decided not to read--the big guns, and I took a fair amount of French lit and European history as an undergraduate. I'm not above a good trashy (or at least not-quite-literatoor) read, as in the novel about Brugge, but I'm also interested in more contemporary fiction, literary guidebooks, biographies, and history with a narrower focus than what I read back in college. <BR>Too specific? Not specific enough? <BR>I loved reading Hellenga's Sixteen Pleasures before a recent trip to Italy--does that help?

dan

It might help if you tell us what type of reading you are looking for, since we are obviously suggesting a wide variety. <BR> <BR>I thought of a couple of other good novels for you: <BR> <BR>"Phantom of the Opera" by Gaston Leroux - if you enjoy reading Sherlock Holmes, you will like this one. <BR> <BR>"The American" by Henry James - about a wealthy American businessman who falls in love with a young French woman from a pretentious aristocratic family. It is a very interesting look at the clash of cultures and social classes. He and the mother just don't get along. <BR> <BR>Hope this didn't post more than once, but I have had trouble posting this one. <BR>You might also like the Madeline movie that was recently released on video - has some good Paris scenes, as do the books that someone else recommended. There is also a Harrison Ford movie on video about a guy searching for his kidnapped wife in Paris. I can't remember the title.

Debbie

Martha-I would highly recommend the movie"IS PARIS BURNING?" that can be rented at any Blockbuster or video store. It is a movie/documentary of Paris during WWII with the true account of how Hitler ordered his German generals to blow up and burn Paris to the ground. <BR>You don't have to be a history geek to enjoy it-my daughter who waas 10 when she saw it thought it was quite interesting. You will enjoy the movie as it is not a fighting/action type WWII movie-the famous landmarks,etc.wil come alive for you.Bon journee! <BR> <BR>

Debbie

Martha-I would highly recommend the movie"IS PARIS BURNING?" that can be rented at any Blockbuster or video store. It is a movie/documentary of Paris during WWII with the true account of how Hitler ordered his German generals to blow up and burn Paris to the ground. <BR>You don't have to be a history geek to enjoy it-my daughter who waas 10 when she saw it thought it was quite interesting. You will enjoy the movie as it is not a fighting/action type WWII movie-the famous landmarks,etc.wil come alive for you.Bon journee! <BR> <BR>

Annalynn

Dan - the HArrison Ford movie was "Frantic" and it was directed by Roman Polanski. <BR> <BR>As a former history major who wrote her thesis on Women in the French Resistance, I can't ehlp but throw in my two cents worth! <BR> <BR>For a good history of France, check out France in Modern Times - Gordon Wright. This is probably the definitive book on France today and how it got there. <BR> <BR>I'd also recommend reading books centered around France's involvement in the world wars. France was incredibly affected by the wars, in a way that most Americans can never undertstand. In particualr, I'd recommend "Strange Defeat" by Marc Bloch, Simone De Beauvoir's "The Blood of Others" (or "Les Sang des Autres" since you can read French), anything by Jean-Paul Sartre, and Hemingway. <BR> <BR>Another excellent book is Janet Flanner's "Paris was Yesterday: 1925-1939.' Flanner was an expatirate who wrote for the New Yorker and these letters were all published in the magazine. The book is a collection of the best of these letters which talk about the influences of Josephine Baker, Ernest Hemingway, Sylvia Beach (who founded Shakespeare& Co.), and Gertrude Stein, and other Americans on Paris. <BR> <BR>SOme of these may be difficult to find. Email me if you wnat any more specific information on publishers, etc. Good luck and enjoy!

Annalynn

Dan - the HArrison Ford movie was "Frantic" and it was directed by Roman Polanski. <BR> <BR>As a former history major who wrote her thesis on Women in the French Resistance, I can't ehlp but throw in my two cents worth! <BR> <BR>For a good history of France, check out France in Modern Times - Gordon Wright. This is probably the definitive book on France today and how it got there. <BR> <BR>I'd also recommend reading books centered around France's involvement in the world wars. France was incredibly affected by the wars, in a way that most Americans can never undertstand. In particualr, I'd recommend "Strange Defeat" by Marc Bloch, Simone De Beauvoir's "The Blood of Others" (or "Les Sang des Autres" since you can read French), anything by Jean-Paul Sartre, and Hemingway. Marc Bloch was ana ctive member of the Resistance who was executed, and Strange Defeat is the journal he kept leading up to the time he was executed by the Nazis. <BR> <BR>Another excellent book is Janet Flanner's "Paris was Yesterday: 1925-1939.' Flanner was an expatriate who wrote for the New Yorker and these letters were all published in the magazine. The book is a collection of the best of these letters which talk about the influences of Josephine Baker, Ernest Hemingway, Sylvia Beach (who founded Shakespeare& Co.), and Gertrude Stein, and other Americans on Paris. <BR> <BR>SOme of these may be difficult to find. Email me if you wnat any more specific information on publishers, etc. Good luck and enjoy!

dan

Annalynn, I enjoyed your post. Where did you study history? The reason that I am asking is that I found it interesting that you mentioned the Gordon Wright text. I just pulled that out the other day, prompted by Martha's original question in fact, and I have been re-reading it this week. I studied French history with the late Edward Gargan (a social historian) and Suzanne Desan at Wisconsin from 1988-1991. We studied French feminism a bit in class. My research was on a similar period - the Action Francaise and pre-war Nazi Germany. <BR> <BR>Martha, <BR>I think Annalynn made a good point. If there are two things that have had the greatest impact on modern France, they are the 1789 Revolution (and Napoleon's regime) and the two World Wars. If you want to understand the impact of World War I on France, read Alistair Horne's "The Price of Glory: Verdun 1916." We also used the Marc Bloch book that Annalynn mentioned, and it will give you good insight on France's defeat in 1940. <BR> <BR>Sorry, I typed all this before I realized that you had posted again saying that you are looking for more modern books. I will try to see if I can remember anything. I must admit that I am a sucker for the classics and sometimes don't read as much post 1930's stuff as I should. <BR> <BR>I think someone mentioned getting some Edith Piaf music earlier. Great idea! I actually bought a set of her recordings on CD at the music store in the Louvre, and they are great for the car when I am having an "I miss Paris" day.

martha

Dan-- <BR>Don't apologize! I'm happy to hear about older fiction people liked, too. I just asked about recent stuff because I think it's harder to hear about it through the sort of culteral osmosis that lets us know to look for Flaubert, Hugo, etc. <BR>Your post actually gave me the push I needed to go find a copy of The Red and the Black (had been meaning to get to it, really I had, but I'm easily distracted in bookstores).

dan

I found a great resource at www.galleryslaves.com/franlit. You can also find others there, such as British lit at /britlit.