At a time when grouchy and pessimistic critics lament the decline of the novel, it may be useful to note that the novel as a genre has never fared better than in this early 21st century. In September 2008 the specialized press announced the publication of 466 new novels in French. Even if quantity does not necessarily mean quality, such figures are a testimony to the vitality of the genre. If readers may at times find it difficult to find their bearings in such a profusion of books, the reason is that today’s novel, mirroring French society as a whole, has experienced profound changes in the past twenty-five years. Our six-week journey into the contemporary novel will focus on six novelists who, according to some, illustrate the main trends in contemporary fiction (a difficult choice, though!).

The return of the character and history revisited: Jean Rouaud, Les Champs d’honneur (Prix Goncourt 1990)
The fiction of origins : Annie Ernaux, La Place (1983) et Une Femme (1988)
The mark of the social sphere: François Bon, Daewoo( 2004)
Questions about commitment to a cause. An uncompromising account of May 1968: Olivier Rolin, Tigre en papier (2002)
The postmodern and ironic novel.: Jean Echenoz, Je m’en vais(Prix Goncourt 1999)
The novel of culture: Pascal Quignard: Terrasse à Rome (2000)
A summer of fascinating discoveries which should enable you to better understand France and the French today!

Texts : Jean Rouaud : Les champs d’honneur, Les Editions de Minuit, col. « double » - ISBN 2-7073-1565-6 ; Annie Ernaux : La Place, Folio- ISBN 2-07-037722-9 ; Une Femme, Folio-ISBN 2-07-038211-7 ; François Bon : Daewoo, Le livre de poche-2-253-11431-6 ; Olivier Rolin : Tigre en papier, Le Seuil, col. Points- ISBN 2-02-037506-0.

Jean Echenoz : Je m’en vais, Les Editions de Minuit, col , « double »- ISBN 2-7073-1771-3 ; Pascal Quignard : Terrasse à Rome, Folio-ISBN 2-07-041716-6.