Chéri

Book excerpt: Set in Paris’s demi-monde at the beginning of the twentieth century, Chéri by Colette is a passionate story of devotion, misplaced desire and the passage of time. Chéri is part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library; a series of stunning, pocket-sized classics bound in real cloth with gold foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover. This edition is translated by Janet Flanner, who was an extraordinary writer and journalist. She was the Paris correspondent for The New Yorker for fifty years. Fred Peloux, affectionately nicknamed Chéri, is handsome and spoilt. Until now he’s lived a life of hedonistic luxury, and has been indulged in his every desire. He is newly married to the young and beautiful Edmée, and according to early twentieth-century Parisian society, he has everything a man could dream of. But the only woman he can think about is his lover, Léa de Lonval, a beautiful, ageing courtesan who has stolen his heart. Full of wit, drama and intensity, Chéri is a groundbreaking novel which grapples with radical ideas about sexuality and ageing. This Macmillan Collector’s Library edition is introduced by acclaimed writer Paul Bailey.