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bianca89279's review against another edition
5.0
"The President's Hat" is another charming novel by the French writer Antoine Laurain.
I loved his "Red Notebook", so when I spotted this on Netgalley, I had to request it. Many thanks to the publishers, Gallic Books, for allowing me to read it.
The President's Hat is about the French President, Francois Mitterand's hat. I've grown up hearing about him. He was the French president for a very long time (14 years!).
The story takes place in 1986. Daniel Mercier finds himself in a brasserie, enjoying a quiet dinner by himself. At the table next to him sits Francois Mitterand and two other people. The President and his entourage leave, but Mitterand leaves his hat behind. Daniel decides to keep the hat as a souvenir.
Unbeknownst to him, things start changing for the better. He gets a promotion at work. The unthinkable happens: he forgets the hat on the train.
I will try not to give too much away. I will just say that the hat changes owners from Daniel Mercier to a young woman, Fanny Marquant, then to Pierre Aslan, a perfume maker, and to Bernard Lavalliere, an affluent Frenchman, part of the rich, conservative elite.
The hat seems to influence and provoke changes in the lives of all those who have it in their possession. They know it's the hat. Besides Daniel Mercier, none of them knows of its provenance.
I'll leave it at that.
This is a short novel that reads like a fable. I especially enjoyed the 80s references. While I'm not French, I recognised many of them.
Antoine Laurain's writing is deceptively simple, but it flows beautifully. Obviously, the translator (I couldn't find who it was) did a wonderful job translating it.
I thought the story was very original and very well written and its conclusion was very satisfying.
Antoine Laurain's writing and stories have a "je ne sais quoi" quality to them that really appeals to me. I read that this novel/novella was turned into a movie. I wouldn't mind watching it, especially since I'm a French movie fan.
Très agréable!
4.5 stars
I've received this book via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to the publishers for the opportunity to read and review.
Cover: 5 stars
I loved his "Red Notebook", so when I spotted this on Netgalley, I had to request it. Many thanks to the publishers, Gallic Books, for allowing me to read it.
The President's Hat is about the French President, Francois Mitterand's hat. I've grown up hearing about him. He was the French president for a very long time (14 years!).
The story takes place in 1986. Daniel Mercier finds himself in a brasserie, enjoying a quiet dinner by himself. At the table next to him sits Francois Mitterand and two other people. The President and his entourage leave, but Mitterand leaves his hat behind. Daniel decides to keep the hat as a souvenir.
Unbeknownst to him, things start changing for the better. He gets a promotion at work. The unthinkable happens: he forgets the hat on the train.
I will try not to give too much away. I will just say that the hat changes owners from Daniel Mercier to a young woman, Fanny Marquant, then to Pierre Aslan, a perfume maker, and to Bernard Lavalliere, an affluent Frenchman, part of the rich, conservative elite.
The hat seems to influence and provoke changes in the lives of all those who have it in their possession. They know it's the hat. Besides Daniel Mercier, none of them knows of its provenance.
I'll leave it at that.
This is a short novel that reads like a fable. I especially enjoyed the 80s references. While I'm not French, I recognised many of them.
Antoine Laurain's writing is deceptively simple, but it flows beautifully. Obviously, the translator (I couldn't find who it was) did a wonderful job translating it.
I thought the story was very original and very well written and its conclusion was very satisfying.
Antoine Laurain's writing and stories have a "je ne sais quoi" quality to them that really appeals to me. I read that this novel/novella was turned into a movie. I wouldn't mind watching it, especially since I'm a French movie fan.
Très agréable!
4.5 stars
I've received this book via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. Many thanks to the publishers for the opportunity to read and review.
Cover: 5 stars
growlcat's review against another edition
5.0
A short, optimistic novel about the fate of 4 people who found - and wore- President Mitterand's Hamburg hat.
jabumble's review against another edition
3.0
Ein total nettes Buch das den Hut des französischen Präsidenten auf seinem Weg begleitet, wobei er bei verschiedenen Menschen landet und für eine kurze Zeit bei ihnen bleibt.
Es war eine locker leichte Geschichte für zwischen durch aber nichts außergewöhnliches. Die Geschichte der letzten Person hat mir nicht so gefallen.
Es war eine locker leichte Geschichte für zwischen durch aber nichts außergewöhnliches. Die Geschichte der letzten Person hat mir nicht so gefallen.
mfumarolo's review against another edition
5.0
All of his books are so good! Let people please pay attention to the fact that a book does not to be long to be well crafted and magical!
litteratursara's review against another edition
5.0
This was the first time in a while that I read a book that I was surprised by. It was the sweetest story, I loved following the hat around and discovering new people. The author made everything interesting and had an unbelievable way of catching the essence of the characters.
hiitsnicola's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
micht15's review against another edition
3.0
Different to anything I’ve read before. Really enjoyed it. 3.5 ⭐️
trisha_thomas's review against another edition
3.0
"That hat will drive you insane if you're not careful."
I was prepared to hate this one - reading with friends who had felt disappointed in it, I was ready to skim and be done. Imagine my surprises as I was actually pulled in to the little story of this traveling hat and how it changed and affected each person's life. I loved the perspective changes for each person, how they enjoyed life a little more, people around them a little more and their fellow man. it was uplifting, silly and a very quick read.
I was prepared to hate this one - reading with friends who had felt disappointed in it, I was ready to skim and be done. Imagine my surprises as I was actually pulled in to the little story of this traveling hat and how it changed and affected each person's life. I loved the perspective changes for each person, how they enjoyed life a little more, people around them a little more and their fellow man. it was uplifting, silly and a very quick read.