American Literature has such a variety of names from different backgrounds that a lot of the time it is hard for me to know what’s what and where the author was born just by seeing their name on a book. I am also not that diligent about looking up that type of information. Sometimes curiosity will get the better of me and I look it up, but often times, not. One Hundred Great French Books was a real treat for me because I got a nice overview of French books, and I was pleasantly surprised by the number of authors I have heard of and even read, and even more pleased with the mini-lessons of French history that I received.
Donaldson-Evans masterfully sums up the main points of the books he discusses and also provides a brief biography of each author with highlights and turning points in their lives that were contributing factors in the books that they wrote. I am so in awe of the information that he is able to distill in just two brief pages per work. He never goes over that amount. It is amazing, and yet I learned so much. The works selected run the gamut from detective novels and science fiction to the classic works of literature and philosophy. Donaldson-Evans manages to find the juiciest bits about each person and book he writes about. You can easily use this as a reference for a deeper understanding of works that you have already read or a brief overview of those you have yet to read.
I enjoyed learning more about Jules Vernes, Simone de Beauvoir, Rene Descarte, Samuel Beckett, Albert Camus, Jean-Paul Sartre and Maryse Conde – to name a few. If you are at all interested in French history and literature this book is sure to delight.
Highly recommended.