Interest in reading in French?

[Anetq, Tour Operator & Guide]

This is the place to show your interest if you would be interested in reading African literature in French - since there are lots of great books out there, not yet translated into other languages! Wim has kindly offered to run this, so please let us know if you can & want to read in French!

[Laura]

hi I am interested! I have just finished reading Ramata by Ndione, a Senegalese writer and realised there are lots more of these jewels in French.

[Sanne]

I am interested too. Though I'm still working on bettering my French, so I might not be able to join in with every read just yet. I've read Tropique de la violence earlier this year and loved it, so reading more African lit in French is high on the to-do-list!

[Wim, French Readings]

Hello Laura and Sanne, nice to read that your are interested!
There are indeed lots of wonderful books by francophone African authors that have never been translated to English. Personally, I have read neither Ramata = Ramata nor Tropique de la violence, but both seem very interesting!

So I guess we can set up a thread for African lit in French and start nominating books for a first group read. We can pick a first one for Nov-Dec this year and then see how to continue. What do you think?

Bien sûr, les discussions et les remarquent pourront se faire en français comme en anglais. Peut-être cela encouragera nos membres francophones qui se sentent plus à l'aise en s'exprimant en français.

[Jennifer]

Interested!

[Laura]

Hi Wim. That's a deal. However, not sure what the rules of language are in the group. I'd love to read more from Senegal and DRC. Is there anything recent from DRC at all?

[Valerie]

Hi, I would be interested too. I am happy with discussions being in either English or French - or a mixture of both! For recent books from DRC authors, there's In Koli Jean Bofane's newest book La Belle de Casa or 'Aux portes de l'enfer' by Michel Mumaka Mabaya

[Laura]

Ah thanks Valerie! Much appreciated

[Lisa]

I haven't been active in this group yet, but this might be the push I was waiting for! So many great books out there to read in French. A couple of recent titles from the DRC that are on my list are Tram 83 and Congo Inc. : Le testament de Bismarck, as well as the recent-ish Ah ! Mbongo.

[Laura]

I would also love to join this group. I may not be able to participate as much as I would like given my travel schedule, but I will give it a try. I will actually by in the DRC a good part of November, so would love to be introduced to more DRC literature. Et je peux participer ou en anglais ou en francais.

[Dilaraa]

Count me in! This is a great idea. I've been meaning to read Léonora Miano's last series, Crépuscule du tourment for ages. She's one of my favourite authors.

[Diana]

Count me in too!

[Sanne]

So many great books being suggested already! If I'd have to pick one them, I'm sure I couldn't make a choice, they all sound so good. Can't wait to get started with this reading group!

[Laura]

Lisa fantastico titles! Tram 83 is on my reading list!!

[Wim, French Readings]

You can start nominating your suggestions for a first group read in French here.

The regional reads also concern books that were first published in French, so you can also choose to read those books in their original version. This is the case for the next Nov/Dec 2018 West Africa read whose poll is still open.

[Augusta]

Hello all,

This is a great idea. I would love to read some French texts alongside folks in this group!

[Jessica]

I might join in, depending on the book choice the same as English - yet also depending on the French level (I'm constantly a bit rusty)

[Julien]

I'm interested too :)

[Cam]

Yay, I'm in! Totally agree that we should be able to use our language as is easier. The point is communication and enjoyment, not grammar exercises :). I've got a few on my shelf that I can't seem to get round to donc ce groupe tombe à pic!
Merci Wim et tout le monde :)

[Cam]

Dilaraa wrote: "Count me in! This is a great idea. I've been meaning to read Léonora Miano's last series, Crépuscule du tourment for ages. She's one of my favourite authors."

Yes I really want to read this one, and she has been very critical of its translation into English so I'm keen to keep to the French.

[Terri R]

Je m’interesse.