The French Literary Review

Sample fiction

In general, we aim to reflect a variety of both style and content. The only criterion is that the writing is intelligent and well-written; the subject matter is entirely open.

However, because it is often difficult to know the type of story or poem that a magazine is looking for, here are examples of fiction that have been included in the magazine. We hope you enjoy them!

Behind Mr Hugo

Download the printable version — or read the version below

Two pigeons, looking overstuffed as sofa cushions, fight over the crumbs fallen from his camembert sandwich. Tom moves his feet to one side and wipes the sweat off his brow. It’s too hot for a day in June. Especially for a day in June in Paris. He throws his empty bottle of Orangina into a trashcan and starts to walk. The pigeons follow, their fat bodies rocking back and forth on their skinny legs.

He turns around. ‘Shoo!’ he yells at them.

It’s at this moment, turning to shout at the pigeons, that Tom sees him, Mr. Q. He’s hardly ten feet away, slightly obscured by a girl in a short blue skirt.