The Greatest Spanish, French "Fiction" Books Since 2010

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This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 284 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.

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  1. 1. The Perfect Nanny by Leïla Slimani

    "The Perfect Nanny" by Leïla Slimani is a psychological thriller that explores the relationship between a wealthy Parisian family and their nanny, Louise. The novel begins with the murder of the two children in the family by Louise, who had been their caregiver for several years. The story then delves into the events leading up to the tragic incident, revealing the complex dynamics between the family and Louise. Slimani's novel is a chilling portrayal of the blurred lines between love and obsession, and the dangers that can arise when those lines are crossed.

  2. 2. That Time Of Year by Marie NDiaye

    "That Time of Year" delves into the unsettling experience of a Parisian teacher who, while vacationing with his family in a rural village, finds himself trapped when his wife and child mysteriously disappear. As he searches for them, the protagonist encounters the village's eerie customs and secretive inhabitants, who seem to be hiding a chilling truth. The novel explores themes of alienation, identity, and the haunting nature of memory, all set against a backdrop of creeping dread and psychological suspense.

  3. 3. The Infatuations by Javier Marías

    A young woman becomes obsessed with a seemingly perfect couple she often sees at a café. When the husband is brutally murdered, she gets entangled with the widow and a mysterious man who knew the couple, leading her to question everything she thought she knew about love, death, and fate. As she delves deeper into the circumstances surrounding the husband's death, she is forced to confront unsettling truths about the nature of human relationships.

  4. 4. The Heart by Maylis de Kerangal

    This novel delves into the emotional and physical journey of a heart transplant, beginning with a tragic accident that leaves a young man brain-dead and transitioning to the complex process of organ donation. Through a 24-hour timeline, the narrative explores the perspectives of the grieving family, the medical team involved in the transplant, and the recipient of the heart. The story is a poignant exploration of life, death, and the profound connections between humans, highlighting the medical, ethical, and emotional facets of organ donation. The author's meticulous attention to detail and lyrical prose bring to life the intricate realities of this life-saving procedure, making it a deeply moving and thought-provoking read.

  5. 5. Un Attieké Pour Elgass by Tierno Monenembo

    "Un Attieké Pour Elgass" is a heartwarming and thought-provoking novel that follows the journey of Elgass, a young Guinean boy, as he navigates the challenges of growing up in a small village. Faced with poverty, cultural traditions, and the desire for a better life, Elgass embarks on a quest to fulfill his dreams and find his place in the world. Through vivid storytelling and rich character development, the book explores themes of identity, resilience, and the power of human connection.

  6. 6. The Invisible Guardian by Dolores Redondo

    This gripping novel unfolds in the misty and myth-shrouded Baztan Valley of Navarre, Spain, where a detective returns to her hometown to investigate a series of eerie murders. The victims, teenage girls, are found in a state that suggests ritualistic killings, drawing the detective into a complex web that ties the present crimes to her own troubled past. As she delves deeper, local superstitions and family secrets emerge, challenging her rational beliefs and forcing her to confront the possibility that the answers she seeks might be as intangible as the mythical Basajaun, the invisible guardian of the forest. The story masterfully blends elements of crime, folklore, and psychological thriller, creating a suspenseful narrative that keeps the reader guessing until the very end.

  7. 7. The Art Of Losing by Alice Zeniter

    The novel explores the complex layers of identity, belonging, and the legacy of colonialism through the story of a French-Algerian family across three generations. It delves into the life of a young woman who grapples with her grandfather's painful past as a harki, an Algerian who fought for the French during the Algerian War of Independence. As she uncovers her family's history, she confronts the silence and trauma that have shaped their experiences of dislocation and cultural disconnection. The narrative weaves between past and present, revealing the enduring impact of historical events on individual lives and the struggle to reconcile with one's heritage in a modern world.

  8. 8. The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas

    In this romantic novel, a young woman finds herself in a predicament when she lies to her family about having a boyfriend and is expected to bring him to her sister's wedding in Spain. Desperate to maintain her ruse, she reluctantly agrees to a proposition from her aggravating but attractive colleague, who offers to pose as her partner for the trip. As they spend time together in the picturesque setting, their feigned relationship begins to reveal genuine chemistry and emotions, leading them to confront their past misunderstandings and the possibility of a real romance.

  9. 9. The House Of Shattered Wings by Aliette de Bodard

    Set in a post-apocalyptic Paris, this novel weaves a tale of a city devastated by a war in Heaven, now ruled by fallen angels. The narrative centers around House Silverspires, once the most dominant of the magical houses, now struggling to maintain its power. Its inhabitants, including a newly fallen angel, a naive but powerful alchemist, and a mysterious human with a dangerous secret, must navigate the treacherous political landscape, unravel a sinister plot, and confront a malevolent force that threatens to destroy what little they have left. This story combines elements of fantasy, mystery, and Gothic horror to explore themes of power, loyalty, and redemption in a world where beauty and brutality coexist.

Reading Statistics

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If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

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