You may not know this about me (or I don’t know, maybe you do), but in addition to English literature, I majored in French while in college.  Whenever people ask me why, all I can tell them is…well, I just really like French, the language, the culture, everything.  I’m a Francophile.

So, if you’re anything like me, you might be interested to know that Lemuria has an interesting selection of books for French-loving people.  Here are a few of my recent favorites:

1.  The Flea Markets of France by Sandy Price (photographs by Emily Laxer)

This book lives in our travel section on France.  Though I can’t necessarily afford to go back to France in the near future, I still really enjoyed looking at Laxer’s beautiful photographs and reading Price’s research about where the great French flea markets are and what each has to offer.  And when the day of my next trip to France finally arrives, I’ll know that the Marché Vernaison in Paris is where the real ambiance can be found (as well as a nice assortment of linens, lace, jewelry, toys, books, clocks, lamps, etc., etc.).  Can you tell I’m already looking forward to this indeterminate date?

2. Parisians: An Adventure History of Paris by Graham Robb

Next up, a history book.  I mean, how could I resist this one?  Its title is Parisians: An Adventure History of Paris.  Adventure. In Paris.  The first sentence of the dust jacket sold me: “This it the Paris you never knew. From the Revolution to the present, Graham Robb has distilled a series of astonishing true narratives, all stranger than fiction…” I haven’t had a chance to dive into this one just yet, but I really can’t wait to learn more about Marie Antoinette, Napoleon Bonaparte, and Charles de Gaulle…and just what they were up to that was “stranger than fiction” in La Ville-Lumière (City of Light).

3. Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

Last but not least is the graphic novel Persepolis.  This book (or series of books) has gotten some attention after the French animated film that was made from them won the Jury Prize at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival and was also nominated for an Academy Award.  This graphic novel is not set in France, but was written by French writer Marjane Satrapi who was born in Iran.  The graphic novel chronicles her life growing up in Iran during the Islamic Revolution.  So, funny, political comics by a French writer who provides fascinating insight into the Islamic Revolution and daily life in Iran–need I say more?  If you’re a fan of Persepolis, don’t miss out on Satrapi’s other graphic novels–Persepolis 2, Embroideries, and Chicken with Plums.

À demain!  -Kaycie

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