Colette's Chéri is a deceptively simple novel that packs an emotional wallop. Set in the glamorous, gilded world of Parisian demimondaines just before World War I, it follows the end of a six-year love affair.

The Story

Léa de Lonval is a celebrated courtesan, now in her late forties, who is wealthy, independent, and gracefully facing the end of her career in the spotlight. For the past six years, her companion has been Fred Peloux, nicknamed Chéri, the stunning, spoiled son of a rival courtesan. Chéri is 19 years her junior, and their relationship is a blend of maternal care, deep sensuality, and playful habit. When Chéri's mother arranges for him to marry the young, innocent Edmée, their cozy world shatters. The story follows the aftermath: Chéri's confused marriage and Léa's attempt to build a life without him. Their final meeting, where they confront the irreversible change in themselves and each other, is one of the most heartbreaking and perfectly written scenes I've ever read.

Why You Should Read It

Forget stuffy period dramas. Colette writes with a psychological realism that feels shockingly contemporary. She grants Léa immense dignity. We see her vanity, her sharp wit, and her profound loneliness, but never pity. Chéri is infuriating and magnetic—a man-boy who only understands what he had after it's gone. Colette isn't judging their unconventional life; she's showing us its human cost. The book asks brilliant questions about time: How do we measure our worth when our beauty fades? What do we own of a love that exists outside society's rules? It's about the specific pain of an older woman and a younger man, but the core feeling—of loving someone who is becoming a stranger—is universal.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for anyone who loves character-driven stories that explore complex relationships without easy answers. If you enjoyed the emotional precision of writers like Alice Munro or the social observation of Edith Wharton, you'll find a friend in Colette. It's also a fantastic pick for readers interested in early feminist literature, but presented as a gripping human story, not a lecture. Fair warning: it's a quiet novel. The drama is internal, the climax is a conversation. But if you let it in, Chéri will leave a lasting mark. It's a masterpiece of understated heartbreak.