Suite française vs Vingt ans apres̀: Which Should You Read?

Both live on shelves: French fiction, France, Histoire, Historical Fiction, History, Fiction

Suite française Irène Némirovsky · 2004 ★★★★☆ 3.9 453 pages · ≈ 8 h 23 m · Moderate

“Hot, thought the Parisians.”

Écrit dans le feu de l'Histoire, Suite française dépeint presque en direct l'Exode de juin 1940, qui brassa dans un désordre tragique des familles françaises de toute sorte, des plus huppées aux plus modestes. Avec…

1 film adaptation

Fiction - Historical Historical - General Correspondence World War II

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Vingt ans apres̀ Alexandre Dumas · 1800 ★★★★☆ 3.8 754 pages · ≈ 13 h 58 m · Demanding

Two decades have passed since the musketeers triumphed over Cardinal Richelieu and Milady. Time has weakened their resolve, and dispersed their loyalties. But treasons and strategems still cry out for justice: civil war…

1 film adaptation

Swordsmen Historia Roman Continental european fiction

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Side by side

The verdict

Ratings are close across the board — any is a safe pick by score.
Suite française is the quickest read — about 8 hours vs 13 for Vingt ans apres̀.
Suite française has the widest readership — 79337 ratings behind its score.
Suite française runs the darker storyline; Vingt ans apres̀ stays the lighter read.

How to choose

Want a one-evening read? Suite française ≈ 8h vs 13h for Vingt ans apres̀ New to the genre? Suite française Moderate vs Demanding for Vingt ans apres̀ In the mood for something dark? Suite française a darker storyline than Vingt ans apres̀ Want something lighter? Vingt ans apres̀ an easier tone than Suite française

Scores by source

	Suite française	Vingt ans apres̀
Goodreads	3.9 (79337)	—

Reception

	Suite française	Vingt ans apres̀
Ratings	79337	9
Editions	68	268
Film adaptations	1	1
Want to read	65404	—
Reading it now	3624	—
Written reviews	7801	—
Wikipedia attention	1231	—
Pages	453	754

Questions readers ask

Which is rated higher: Suite française or Vingt ans apres̀?

Suite française has the higher combined reader rating across sources (Suite française 3.9/5, Vingt ans apres̀ 3.8/5).

Which is shorter to read: Suite française or Vingt ans apres̀?

Suite française is the quickest read. Estimated at 225 words per minute: Suite française (453 pages, ≈ 8 h 23 m); Vingt ans apres̀ (754 pages, ≈ 13 h 58 m).

Which is harder to read: Suite française or Vingt ans apres̀?

Estimated difficulty, based on era, reader shelves and length — Suite française: Moderate; Vingt ans apres̀: Demanding.

Have both books been made into films?

Suite française: 3 film adaptations; Vingt ans apres̀: 5 film adaptations.