Colette Boeken

Colette, prodded by her first husband, Willy, began her writing career with Claudine at School, which catapulted the young author into instant, sensational success. Among the most autobiographical of Colette's works, these four novels are dominated by the child-woman Claudine, whose strength, humor, and zest for living make her seem almost a symbol for the life force.Janet Flanner described these books as "amazing writing on the almost girlish search for the absolute of happiness in physical love . . . recorded by a literary brain always wide awake on the pillow."

The narrative explores the tragicomic love affair between Léa de Lonval, an aging courtesan, and her young lover, Chéri. Their passionate relationship faces turmoil when Chéri marries the much younger Marie-Laure, highlighting the complexities of love, desire, and societal expectations. Colette's nuanced portrayal of these characters delves into themes of aging, loss, and the bittersweet nature of romance, making it a compelling exploration of human emotions and relationships.

"One of the first and best feminist novels ever written." — Erica Jong. This vivid portrait of Parisian music hall life was drawn from the personal experiences of the author of Gigi. Colette's 1910 novel reflects her adventures as an itinerant dancer as well as her struggles balancing respectability and artistic freedom.

THE STORIES THAT INSPIRED THE FILM COLETTE, out Jan 2019. In Claudine at School we meet Claudine as a teenager, wickedly witty, rebellious and effervescent, competing with her new headmistress for the affections of the pretty mistress Miss Aimee. schovat popis

With the help of Claudine, Annie takes steps to empower her own life, a life away from her husband.Though Colette's intoxicating series of novels emerges a portrait of Claudine an intelligent, modern woman whose life is always honest, passionate and inspiring. schovat popis

Chéri, together with The Last of Chéri, is a classic story of a love affair between a very young man and a charming older woman. The amour between Fred Peloux, the beautiful gigolo known as Chéri, and the courtesan Léa de Lonval tenderly depicts the devotion that stems from desire, and is an honest account of the most human preoccupations of youth and middle age. With compassionate insight Colette paints a full-length double portrait using an impressionistic style all her own. "A wonderful subject [treated with] intelligence, mastery, and understanding of the least-admitted secrets of the flesh." ― André Gide

At the end of Cheri the young Cheri left his aging mistress Lea on the eve of his marriage. As Cheri and Lea confront each other, and the changes a decade has wrought on their lives and their looks, Colette displays the incredible sensitivity and insight for which she is justly famous. schovat popis

Following the excitement of a shared life in Paris, Claudine's marriage to the distinguished Renaud has settled into a stale pattern of bickering conversations and mutual inattention. Just as Claudine begins to fear herself confined to a stifled existence, a chance meeting with a friend's wife, the beautiful Rezi, draws her into an impassioned and heartbreaking affair.