Pascal Garnier – in his own words

Pascal Garnier, who died in March 2010, was a talented novelist, short story writer, children’s author and painter. Gallic Books will publish three novels by him in 2012: The Panda Theory, How’s the Pain? and The A26. In an article for his French publisher, Zulma, Garnier described what led him to become a writer…

What is The Panda Theory?

“You’ve only been here for a few days but you already know loads of people. You walk into people’s lives, just like that.”

Read an extract from Pascal Garnier’s humourous and dark novel, out in March from Gallic Books.

About Translation

In an exclusive article for Bookhugger, Jane Aitken, co-founder of Gallic Books, discusses the art and business of translation, and what they look for in a translator.

And there’s a little competition to round things off too…

Muriel Barbery talks about The Gourmet

Muriel Barbery is the best-selling author of The Elegance of the Hedgehog and The Gourmet. In this interview, the media-shy Frenchwoman reveals to Jennifer Whitehead the joy she took in writing The Gourmet; the shadow Marcel Proust casts over French literature; and why she won’t tell us about her most memorable meal.

Hector and the Search for Happiness video interview

Hector and the Search for Happiness, which has sold well over 2 million copies worldwide, has just been published in English. George Miller met the author, Francois Lelord, recently to find out more about this modern-day fable. This short video is the result.

Watch the trailer for No and Me, by Delphine de Vigan

Watch a trailer for Delphine de Vigan’s bestselling novel, No and Me, newly translated from the French by George Miller.

February Reading Groups round-up

Looking for ideas for new titles to read with your reading circle or book group? Let us help. Here are some titles which have reading guides ready and waiting for you to stimulate discussion and debate.

The Bookhugger Author Panel: Writing from life

We asked three very different authors about how their life experiences feed in to their writing – and about how that writing is subjected to commercial pressures. What wins – money or art?

Read the first chapter of Sunset Oasis – and win a copy too [closed]

Sunset Oasis won the inaugural International Prize for Arabic Fiction in 2008, and now it’s being published in English. Bookhugger brings you a chance to read the first chapter, and to win a copy so you can read on…

Get a flavour of The Gourmet

France’s greatest food critic is dying, after a lifetime in single-minded pursuit of sensual delights. But as Pierre Arthens lies on his death bed, he is tormented by an inability to recall the most delicious food to ever pass his lips, which he ate long before becoming a critic.

Before The Hedgehog

Following the success of The Elegance of the Hedgehog, French author Muriel Barbery’s first novel, The Gourmet, is published in English this month. Centring on an ailing food critic and his search for a perfect flavour from his youth, it features some of the same characters as The Elegance of the Hedgehog.

Jane Aitken from Gallic Books on the joys of French fiction

Jane Aitken, Managing Director of Gallic Books, talks about what French fiction got to offer to an English-speaking audience, and the challenges of marketing it in an already crowded marketplace.

Best of the Web: check out Anna Sam

Anna Sam is making a big splash with Checkout, her account of the eight years she spent working behind a French supermarket checkout. Here’s some of the best coverage, and a link to her appearance on BBC Radio 4′s Midweek too.

Read an extract of Checkout – A Life on the Tills

Anna Sam spent 8 years as a checkout girl. Checkout – A Life on the Tills is a witty look at what it’s really like to work in a supermarket: the relentless grind and less-than-perfect working conditions, along with people-watching and encounters with every kind of customer from the bizarre to the downright rude.

A Rare Interview with Muriel Barbery

Following paperback publication in the UK of international success story The Elegance of the Hedgehog, read a rare interview with author Muriel Barbery.