LIBRARIAN'S PICKS

This week, we honour Maryse Condé who has left us aged 90. Winner of the alternative Nobel Prize in 2018, Condé, whose books include Ségu and Moi Tituba sorcière, wrote frankly – as both a novelist and essayist – of colonialism, sexuality and the black diaspora, and introduced readers around the world to a wealth of African and Caribbean history. 

120 years ago, the leaders of the United Kingdom and France signed the Entente Cordiale. Our selection of books explore the history of the agreements and their global repercussions. They also accompany the exhibition When Marianne and Britannia Meet, organised by the Institut français to mark the anniversary of the Entente Cordiale.

On 4th March 2024, France became the first country in the world to include the right to abortion in its constitution. Abortion has been legal in France since 1975 but parliamentarians voted to revise the country's 1958 constitution to enshrine women's "guaranteed freedom" to abort. Our selection of documents offers an opportunity to learn about how women's lives have been impacted by the long struggle to get abortion recognised in France.

On the occasion of the Notre-Dame de Paris, the Augmented Exhibition at Westminster Abbey, relive the most glorious hours of the Parisian cathedral with digital tablets set in the Institute’s foyer, courtesy of Histovery.

Tracing back 850 years, from the groundwork in the 12th century to the tragic fire of 2019, you will be able to experience the rich history of Notre-Dame up close.

Want to go further? Check out our selection of titles below

This year's prestigious Prix Goncourt has been awarded to Jean-Baptiste Andrea for his historical novel Veiller sur elle, set in 20th century Italy. Explore this prizewinning novel, as well as the author's previous works for literature and screen with this selection!

Getting ready for the annual French Comics Drink & Draw, or simply awed by our BDs collection ? We’ve handpicked some award-winning rising indie superstars artists, spotlighting the vital role of women in the scene of graphic arts.

Marjane Satrapi, Riad Sattouf, Marguerite Abouet used comics to tell their journeys and did not hesitate to touch upon themes such as violence, war, politics and biculturalism. Yet, other artists, perhaps lesser known, also carved their way and their stories need to be heard too. From the Vietnam war to a generation of girls rebelling against their father because of his old conceptions, there is plenty to discover!

Watch our discussion on Diversity in Comic Books online.

Celebrating France’s rich tradition as a pioneer of animation, discover the history, ingenuity, and diversity of France’s renowned animation studios and creators with the libraries selection of films for all ages.

Born in the then French colony of Martinique in 1925, Frantz Fanon was a psychiatrist and political activist who was concerned with the psychopathology of colonisation. He explored the relationship between the colonised subject and the coloniser in Martinique and in Algeria specifically, where he actively took part in the war of Independence. Fanon's writings, which include Peau noire, masques blancs and Les damnés de la terre, contributed significantly to the fields of psychiatry and post-colonial studies. Here is our selection of writings by and on Fanon to mark the 60th anniversary of his death.

A celebration of popular music, la fête de la musique was created in France in 1982. To mark this year's edition and accompany the live performance hosted in the library, we have compiled a selection of the best contemporary French chanson artists. All available from our extensive French music CD collection.