Can you recommend best contemporary French novels for beginners?

Sure. 'Le Petit Prince' by Antoine de Saint - Exupéry is a great start. It's a simple yet profound tale that uses allegory to talk about human nature, friendship, and love. The language is not overly complex and it's very accessible for those new to French literature.

I would recommend 'Madame Bovary' by Gustave Flaubert. Although it has complex themes, the story is engaging. It gives a good insight into the society of the time. Also, 'The Stranger' by Albert Camus. Its writing style is relatively straightforward, and the central ideas about existentialism are presented in a way that can be grasped by new readers of French novels.

For beginners, 'The Little Prince' by Antoine de Saint - Exupéry is a great choice. It's short, simple, and full of profound wisdom. Another good one is 'Bonjour Tristesse' by Françoise Sagan. It's a quick read that gives a taste of French modern literature's exploration of youth and relationships.

For beginners, 'The Three Musketeers' is a great choice. It has a fast - paced plot full of action, like sword fights and daring rescues. The characters are also very memorable. Another good one is 'Candide'. It's relatively short and the satirical nature makes it interesting. It can introduce you to Voltaire's unique view of the world.

For beginners, 'The Little Prince' by Antoine de Saint - Exupéry is a great choice. It's a short and simple yet profound story about a little prince from another planet who travels the universe and learns about human nature. Another good one is 'Candide' by Voltaire. It has a clear narrative structure and uses satire to convey its ideas, which is quite accessible. 'The Three Musketeers' by Alexandre Dumas is also suitable as it has an exciting plot full of action and adventure.

I'd say 'Irene' by Pierre Lemaitre. The story is engaging from the start, and it doesn't have overly complicated language or convoluted plots that might put off new readers. It's a good introduction to the genre within the French context.

A good starting point for beginners could be 'Holes' by Louis Sachar. It has an interesting plot that combines mystery, adventure, and a bit of history. The characters are well - developed and the story is engaging from start to finish. 'Bridge to Terabithia' by Katherine Paterson is also a wonderful choice. It deals with friendship, loss, and the power of imagination in a way that is both accessible and deeply moving. 'Stargirl' by Jerry Spinelli is another novel that new readers might enjoy, as it explores the themes of non - conformity and acceptance in a high school setting.

For beginners, 'The Hate U Give' by Angie Thomas is a great choice. It's a contemporary novel that deals with important social issues like racism and police brutality in a very accessible way. The story is engaging and the characters are relatable.

A more recent option could be 'The Vegetarian' by Han Kang. It has a rather unusual premise as it follows a woman's decision to become a vegetarian and the strange consequences that follow. The narrative is simple yet the themes are complex and presented in an experimental way.

For beginners, 'Coraline' by Neil Gaiman is a great choice. It's not too complex and has a really engaging and spooky story that can introduce the elements of gothic literature like the otherworldly and the slightly menacing. Another good one is 'Mexican Gothic' by Silvia Moreno - Garcia. It has a clear gothic plot with a young woman going to a strange old house and uncovering secrets.