Take advantage of our summer discount:
all private group classes with 30% discount
For whom?
This French reading group welcomes anyone with an interest in French literature. Our “Cercle littéraire” discusses novels that are among the highlights of French literature. A good command of French is required for participation in this reading group.
How
The books will be chosen collectively at the suggestion of the teacher, who will present a number of recently published novels, some of which have received literary awards. If desired, we can also add a few classics to the reading list.
At our first meeting we will discuss “Le Mage du Kremlin ” by Da Empoli and the other books on the reading list are a tentative suggestion by the teacher and still open for discussion.
During the 7 meetings we will discuss the books together, after an introduction to situate the novel in its historical and literary context, partly using visual material or an interview with the author. You will have a month each time to read the work prior to the discussion, which will include some reading excerpts and a few questions. It is strongly recommended that you read the entire novel, but this is in no way mandatory for your participation.
The teacher : Anja-Hélène van Zandwijk
Anja-Hélène grew up in France and studied French language, literature, dramaturgy and film studies at the University of Amsterdam. She is a literature teacher, reading group facilitator and interviewer, working with various partners in the cultural sector such as the Alliance française, the Institut français, Platform French, libraries and bookstores, and for Universities, especially the Summer University where she discusses recently published French literature every year.
In addition, Anja-Hélène is a board member of the Marcel Proust Association and organizes various literary events such as an annual Proust Day at the Huis de Pinto in Amsterdam and during special events such as the lustrum around Baudelaire’s honor last year and last year Marcel Proust in honor of his 100th death anniversary.