Virtual Library


Welcome to our free virtual book library!

Search, Discover, and Read for Free

We are building an online library of free books written by French authors and/or about France! Here you will find an extensive list of public domain books in French or English that you can read instantly from the comfort of your screen.

Explore classic literature, historical accounts, poetry, and other thrilling stories with a “click of the mouse.” Our searchable and filterable database makes finding your preferred author, language, year of publication, or book title a breeze.

 
Terms of Use

The E-books included in the Parisian Pulse Virtual Library are for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. Many of the books listed in our library have been provided courtesy of Project Gutenberg. You may copy, give away, or re-use any Project Gutenberg book in keeping with the terms of the Project Gutenberg License, which you may find online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located.

 
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Parisian Pulse LIBRARY
AuthorYearLanguageGenreBook Title
Black and white photo of Colette posed in a chair smoking a cicagrette. Her hair is in dark bobbed curls, just below the ear. She is wearing a suit.

Colette ( bio )

1900Anglais (English)Fiction
Claudine at School

First published in 1900, and hailed as a groundbreaking, early work of queer literature, Claudine at School (Claudine à l’école) is one of the most popular novels written by Colette. Set in a strict girls' boarding school in rural France, the story follows Claudine, a spirited and observant teenage girl, as she navigates the challenges of adolescence, friendship, and societal expectations. At school, Claudine forms intense friendships with her classmates, engages in rebellious behavior, and explores her burgeoning sexuality. Through witty and insightful narrative, the author sheds light on the hypocrisy and oppressive environment of the educational system.
Portrait of Mme George Sand with cropped page-boy haircut. She is wearing a black cloak and she is sitting in front of a red backdrop.

SAND, George ( bio )

1921Anglais (English)Non-fiction, epistolary
The Georg Sand–Gustave Flaubert Letters

The George Sand–Gustave Flaubert Letters comprises a collection of correspondences, spanning from 1863 to 1880, exchanged between two 19th-century French authors. Translated into English, the letters – in which Sand and Flaubert discuss literature, art, philosophy, and the challenges of writing – showcase their admiration for and critique of one another and reveal their contrasting worldviews and personalities. George Sand's passion and idealism juxtapose Flaubert's meticulous and pessimistic nature. This collection provides a unique glimpse into the lives of these literary giants, emphasizing their deep friendship and profound influence on each other's writing and the literary landscape of their time.
Portrait of André Breton holding eyeglasses, circa 1923.

BRETON, André ( bio )

1923Français (French)Poetry
Clair de Terre

Claire de Terre is a collection of poems written by André Breton and published in a variety of French literary journals and Dada texts between 1921 and 1922. The collection includes a portrait of Breton drawn by Pablo Picasso. The title of the collection, which alludes to the daily and seasonal turning of the light, serves as a metaphor for the poetic act. As with The Magnetic Fields, published four years earlier, in 1920, Breton dedicates Claire de Terre to Marcel Duchamp.

GIRAUDOUX, Jean ( bio )

1919Français (French)Fiction, general
Amica America

A story about extraordinary friendship between two women from different backgrounds, Jean Giraudoux's Amica America explores themes of friendship, self-discovery, and the complexities of the American dream. Set in the bustling city of New York, the story revolves around Amica, an ambitious and charismatic American woman, and Clara, a reserved and introspective French immigrant. Despite their stark differences, their bond deepens as they navigate the challenges of love, ambition, and cultural identity.