In 1999, Besson, a law graduate, was inspired to write his first novel, En l'absence des hommes while reading of accounts of ex-serviceman during the First World War.The novel, with its daring inclusion of Marcel Proust as a central character, won the Emmanuel-Roblès prize.Besson's second novel, Son Frère was shortlisted for the Prix Femina, and adapted for cinema by Patrice Chéreau in 2003.The film was well received and won the Silver Bear at the Berlin Film Festival.
En l'absence des hommes, Éditions Julliard, 2001, ISBN 9782260015642
In the Absence of Men, Heinemann 2003, translated by Frank Wynne, Carroll & Graf, 2003, ISBN 9780786711611
Son Frère, Julliard, 2001, ISBN 9782260015864
His Brother translated by Frank Wynne, Heinemann, 2004, ISBN 9780434012114
L'arrière saison, Julliard, 2002, ISBN 9782260016106 (inspired by Edward Hopper's painting Nighthawks)
Un garçon d'Italie, Julliard, 2003, ISBN 9782260016427 (which was shortllistedf for both the Prix Goncourt and the Prix Médicis.)
Les Jours fragiles, Julliard, 2004, ISBN 9782260016410 (focussing on the last days of Rimbaud, it has been optioned by François Dupeyron for the cinema.)
Un instant d'abandon: roman, Julliard, 2005, ISBN 9782260016816
Se résoudre aux adieux: roman, Julliard, 2007, ISBN 9782260017264