Not so much a written language the island’s literature is oral.

It was derived from the villages, conveyed during evening gatherings but also during the shepherds transhumance, it placed great emphasis on poetry, tales and stories of every day life. Song is often the vehicule of this oral art.

Written literature was to come about later on, first it was the Italian expressions and then the French. It wasn’t until the 20th century that the first newspaper in Corsican was published "A Tramuntana", followed by poems such as those of Francescu Filippini and lastly novels by authors such as Rinatu Coti.

Throughout the 19th century many French authors praised the charm of the island : Guy de Maupassant, Alexandre Dumas, Honoré de Balzac not to mention Prosper Mérimée who wrote the unforgettable "Colomba" following a stay in Corsica.

Today the two main authors are poles apart.

Angelo Rinaldi, a novelist and literary critic, takes a stern look at Corsica, particularly in his home town, Bastia.

In contrast, Marie Susini analyses the customs of the island’s inhabitants a little more leniently, in particular the role of women in the family.

Each year the Corsican book prize, awards a Corsican author. In 2000, Hélène and Jeanne Brescioni received this award with "2, rue de la Marine".