Graphic novels are beautiful books filled with some amazing artwork. They are easy to read and often talk about important issues that many people can relate to. If you are taking some French classes and you’re looking for fun and interesting ways to do some “homework” then you should pick up some French graphic novels! We bet you’ll enjoy how easy they are to read. We’ve made it easy and have compiled a list of the 10 best French graphic novels you should read. Discover these incredible stories and fall in love with graphic novels!
French Graphic Novels You Should Read
Persepolis (Marjane Satrapi)
This autobiographical black and white graphic novel starts with the author’s turbulent childhood in Iran during and after the Islamic Revolution to her teenage years in Vienna and after her failed marriage and return to Iran. The reader gets to learn more about Iranian history and what it was like for a young girl to live through this chaotic time in the Middle East. The author wrote two graphic novels and both were translated into many languages. A film was made and was nominated for Best Animated Feature in 2007 at the Oscars.
Valerian (Pierre Christin et Jean-Claude Mézières)
This science-fiction graphic novel follows Valérian, a spatio-temporal agent, and his colleague, the redhead Laureline who live during the 28th century in Galaxity, Earth’s capital city. Valérian is described as a typical hero: good-looking, caring, strong and brave. Laureline is more than just a beautiful side character, she is unbelievably smart and independent. They protect the population from temporal paradoxes brought by rogue time-travellers.
This graphic novel series has won numerous awards like the Grand Prix de la ville D’Angoulême. It’s one of the classic French graphic novels to read. And it has been adapted for the big screen, starring Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne.
Grasse Carcasse – Blast, tome 1 (Manu Larcenet)
Blast tells the story of Polza Mancini, a 38-year-old obese writer. The story starts when Mancini decides to leave everything and leave after his father dies. The police take him into custody because they want to know what he’s done to Carole Oudinot. Mancini explains to the police about his blasts, these kinds of explosions where he feels the world completely. This graphic novel series has won many prizes including the Grand Prix RTL de la bande dessinée.
La parenthèse (Élodie Durand)
Another autobiographical graphic novel, La parenthèse tells the story of Judith, a 21-year-old woman who keeps getting feelings of discomfort that turn into seizures. When the symptoms don’t stop, her doctors complete tests and find out Judith has a brain tumour. The author’s goal was to share her story and create a discussing about brain tumours and her struggle with fighting this fight. This story proves that life is fragile and you can’t take anything for granted because bad things can happen to anyone.
Tout seul (Christophe Chabouté)
Tout seul tells the story of a man who’s been living in a boat alone for 50 years. He’s not going anywhere, the boat is immobile. Why does he stay put? He is more scared of what’s out there than staying where he is alone. The only way to not go crazy and not feel so lonely is for him to use his imagination. This graphic novel is a novel filled with tenderness, sensibility but also humour which makes you fall in love with this strange and lonely man.
Chroniques de Jérusalem (Guy Delisle)
Guy Delisle is known for his autobiographical graphic novels. Since he travels a lot, he writes stories about where he’s been and gives us an inside look at what goes on in these specific regions in the world. For this novel, he followed his wife (who works for Doctors Without Borders) and spent a year in Jerusalem. Delisle depicts everyday life and how people live their lives during the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His graphic novel won the Fauve d’or at the 2012 Festival d’Angoulême.
Pinocchio (Vincent Paronnaud)
Yes, this graphic novel is about that famous Italian character! Follow the misadventures of this famous boy in a modernized twist. Instead of being of wood, this android Pinocchio was conceived by an engineer who lacks any real recognition. His friend the cricket we love so much in the Disney version? Well, in Winshluss’ novel he is a cockroach! Even though this graphic novel barely has any dialogue, the images are truly incredible, very expressive and original.
Mon ami Bao (Katty Maurey and Stéphane Lafleur)
This French Canadian graphic novel tells the story of a 21-year-old boy who is already 7 feet and 9 inches, the tallest man in the world and his sad friend Gisèle. Of course, the story digs deeper and is actually about Gisèle’s depression. Depression affects around 10%-15% of Quebecers so they author wanted to write something poetic about this cruel illness. The illustrations of Katty Maurey fits perfectly with the minimalist writing (there are very few words so this is perfect for beginners) of Stéphane Lafleur.
Le bleu est une couleur chaude (Julie Maroh)
Have you ever seen the movie “Blue is the Warmest Colour”? The film is actually an adaptation of this French graphic novel. This is a love story between two women living in France during the 2000s. After her girlfriend/ the love of her life dies, Emma goes to her house to pick up her diary. Emma reads Clémentine’s story, relives how they met, fell in love, broke up but always kept on loving each other, etc. This sad story shows that love is universal and that it doesn’t matter if you’re a man and a woman two men or two women, everyone can live an amazing love story.
En cuisine avec Alain Passard (Christophe Blain)
This French graphic novel is very original. The author Christophe Blain followed the renowned French chef Alain Passard, the owner of the three-star Parisian restaurant L’Arpège, for more than two years. The author meticulously captured all of Passard’s ways and singular ways in a humorous and light way. If you are interested in this great chef, it is a great way to learn more about him but also about the world of very high-end Parisian restaurants.
What are your favorite French graphic novels? If you’re not into French graphic novels, here are some classic novels you could read.
Sources: frenchly.us, lire.artv.ca, senscritique.com
