Dual language texts are one way to get a taste of the literature before you woulkd otherwise be able to read the real thing.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5706 in Books
• Published on: 1991-05
• Original language: French
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 330 pages

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Customer Reviews

Excellent practice for those wanting reading skills
I bought this book on the basis of the review by another Amazon reader. He sounded like he was doing what I wanted to do - acquire reading skills. And he is right - this is an excellent reader. There's a wide range of stories and the translations on the opposite page are excellent. There is also an extensive vocabulary at the back and questions so you don't need a dictionary with you. There are brief introductions to each author, in English. It is excellent value for money and the language is sufficiently difficult to challenge anyone with reasonable skills in French but not so difficult as to make the task impossible. My level was just post O level (I didn't do A level but I had done an extra year of conversation). But I haven't touched French for more years than I care to admit. Along with some grammar books, this has really helped to build my confidence and my vocabulary and it hasn't been painful. Many of the books are geared towards children or people wanting conversations skills so I found this a good way to get the skills I wanted. The stories are short and the styles are varied so even if one particular story doesn't appeal to you, you see a different style of expression and the effort is worth it. I wish there were more like it!

Excellent stories in French with English on opposite page
First read this book in 1960 in college, cost 75 cents. Now relearning French and enjoying the stories, reading first the French and using the opposite page English to check my understanding and translate words and phases I don't know. This is an excellent way to enjoy interesting stories and enlarge one's French painlessly. Ordering a new copy as mine is disintegrating with age (as is the reviewer).

Enjoyable way to absorb language
This book is a find, and a delight. Stories are varied and absorbing, and having the English translation there on the page - set out exactly in the same format as the French is a real boon. That in itself is a real stimulus to keep reading on.

Though the French is at quite a high level, it doesn't seem that intimidating, as you flick backwards and forwards between French and English'. Gradually, and to some extent subconsciously, you are absorbing certain fundamental constructions - and general grammar rules as you go.

The only alternative to these books I have seen are for young children, and I've done my time reading 'Spot the Dog' and the like!