French Literary Enthusiasts

The French Instructional Book Club of L’Union Française
For Summer 2024

Bonjour Tristesse and disaffection in Monte Carlo:

The moody and beachy books of Françoise Sagan

In the second half of the twentieth century, Françoise Sagan wrote about people in hashtag-it’s-complicated relationships in pleasant places. Her work chronicles the stifling hypocrisy of the French bourgeoisie and asks possibly existential questions dreamily. After all, if young women can’t be happy in the lovely places she describes, wherever could they be happy? If the men seem lost or frustrated, perhaps it is due to a psychological malady of a disaffected age. We will read her novels at a relatively leisurely pace this summer, so pour yourself a glass of chilled wine, put your feet up, and come to class to talk to us about how we all might have found happiness where her characters found melancholy.

Note: This class takes place entirely in French and requires a speaking and reading level of intermediate (B1) or above. This is a book club for Intermediate, advanced, and fluent readers of French.

List of books we are reading:

Bonjour Tristesse

…and more to be determined

This is an instructional book club. Note that this series is in French and requires at least an intermediate French ability (B1) for participation.

The classes will be in person on Saturdays at 12 p.m.

Tuition is $125 for the entire semester.

Contact Anne Babson for additional information at anne_babson@yahoo.com