President's Hat, The
Laurain, AntoineWhen Daniel Mercier's eyes alight on an abandoned black felt hat in a Paris restaurant, it's not just any old hat; it belongs to none other than President Francois Mitterrand. And that's not all: surprising things happen to wearers of the hat, so discovers Daniel and the next temporary custodian, and the next ...
Entertaining and charmingly nostalgic, this story of destiny is a delightfully whimsical Gallic adventure. Translated from the French.
Pages
200
200
Year
2012
2012
Reviews
15-01-2024
Frothy and very French. Whimsical, amusing and charming with a satisfying epilogue.
17-04-2023
Mostly a great read since most of us have been to Paris and loved all the references.
21-11-2022
We all enjoyed this book. Not demanding, but interesting and quirky. Humorous.
23-09-2022
All but one member of our group enjoyed the book. An easy, rewarding story..happy, humorous results of serendipity. Invoked lovely memories for anyone who had spent time in Paris.
12-08-2022
Of those who read it, this book was considered a light and pleasant read. Some didn't like the writing style much but all agreed it was a fun, albeit quirky, book.
10-06-2021
This one was enjoyed by most in the group. It was a fairly easy read, with short chapters relating to each character and their interactions with The Hat! Many in our group have visited France and felt the more you know about the country - its culture, customs and social mores and you remember the 1980s, the more you will likely appreciate this novel.
07-04-2021
All our group enjoyed this book. A light, easy read that kept us entertained. Well structured, good flow, almost like reading a series of short stories. Led to lots of stories about trips some of us had made to France.
16-10-2020
A work of whimsy, entertaining and well liked in our group. Easy to read and enjoy, you do not have to work at this one, a great summer read.
24-04-2020
How such an important hat could create such a story! Members were especially intrigued by the technique that every chapter seemed to stand on its own, as a short story with just the HAT joining them together. Quite quirky/whimsical, easy to read, and artistically written. A lovely insight to French life - so very French! A very enjoyable book.
28-11-2019
All but one of our group really enjoyed this book, lighthearted and easy to read to wind up our BDS year. Soo entertaining, liked the way he brought the new characters into the story. Short chapters, several laugh out loud moments, one member didnt enjoy as found it too light, but this was contrary to the rest of us. A great insight into French habits and culture. Highly recommend.
17-10-2018
An easy entertaining read. A refreshingly different style than most books which made a nice change. Some members had favourite chapters.
29-08-2018
Whimsical. A light, happy read. Great for francophiles and those who remember the 1980s fashion and art scenes with great fondness.
29-08-2018
A charming fable - we all enjoyed Laurain's clever and creative ways of telling it.
29-08-2018
We loved this book! So funny, witty, entertaining and so French! And it made us all think how differently we behave and feel when we dress in something new and different.
29-08-2018
Such an entertaining book. Very good notes and questions.
29-08-2018
A great read! Funny, interesting and totally different. Everyone enjoyed this book and a great discussion followed via the questions actually presented at the back of the book. Would recommend to other groups.
25-07-2018
Delightful quick easy read enjoyed by all. Generated surprisingly varied discussion on a range of topics from art and politics to mistresses and social class.
16-05-2018
"Lite", but lovely. Lots of travellers' tales. Most enjoyed as a distraction - and it reminded us of the movie 'Amelie'.
16-05-2018
All found the book charming, quirky, engaging and thoroughly entertaining. Descriptions included 'intriguing' and 'perspicacious'. We admired the skill of the translator(s). Some inconsistencies or omissions were noticed but did not alter the collective enjoyment.
16-05-2018
Most enjoyed the book - a light hearted easy read. Quite a bit of discussion around the politics of the time.
16-05-2018
We enjoyed it. An easy read and a good story.
16-05-2018
Our group found this read charming, entertaining, different and very French. The irony and humour were not lost in translation and the book came to a satisfying ending, finishing full circle with a nice twist at the end.