Presentation and readings with Kate Jensen professor of French literature and French language

In 2026, we celebrate the legacy of George Sand on the occasion of the 150 years since her disappearance.

A major literary and cultural figure of the 19th century and lover of the Berry Region in the Center of France where she found a true source of inspiration, George Sand, born Aurore Dupin died on June 7th 1876 at the age of 72 years old ! This event will be an opportunity to rediscover the richness of her work, her commitment, and her influence, which remains vibrant to this day.

In her presentation, Kate will speak about George Sand's life as she recounted it in her autobiography “Histoire de ma vie” (1855),  including readings of selected passages.
She also recommends some of her most accessible novels such as Indiana (1832), Valentine (1832), Mauprat (1837) and La Petite Fadette (1849).

You can find resumes in French for these novels, including an audio reading for Indiana to prepare for a discussion focusing on the autobiography, as well as these novels.

Indiana  lecture audio Chap 1 , 2....

Valentine, résumé en francais

Mauprat, résumé en francais

La Petite Fadette, résumé en francais

Kate Jensen was a professor of French literature and French language at Louisiana State University for 37 years. During this period, she wrote and published articles and books on French women writers, including George Sand.

She started studying French in junior high and then in high school in Minnesota. She was lucky to have excellent teachers in both places who transmitted their love for the French language and for France to their students. With the French Club, Kate visited France for the first time, both in Senlis where she stayed with a French family and in Brittany with a group of high school friends.

Kate's love for French and France intensified at Lawrence University in Wisconsin where thanks to a marvelous professor, she discovered French literature. She spent her junior year of college in Aix-en-Provence in the Faculté des Lettres. After graduating from Lawrence, she continued her studies in French literature at Columbia University where she got her doctorate.

Event Information

Date : Friday, May 15, 2026
Time : 5:00-6.00pm
Location : HYBRIDE:  Zoom AND Alliance Française de Philadelphie 1420 Walnut Street, Philadelphia PA 19102 
Language : French - B2 Level Minimum
Cost :  $10.00 for AF members | $15.00 for non AF members

Register below and we will send you a Zoom link the morning of the event to join in!
Missed the deadline? Don't worry! Call us at 215-735-5283 or send us an email at alliance@afphila.com, and we will add you to the list of participants.

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