A review by foggy_rosamund
Chéri by Colette

3.0

Set in the 1910s, this novella describes the end of a relationship between Léa, a 50 year old unmarried woman, and her 25 year old male lover, Chéri. When Chéri decides to marry a young, wealthy woman, he and Léa separate. They both see this as a natural split, and do not expect to grieve -- but in fact, they both struggle and miss each other intensely. The novella is characterised by the sense and sophistication of Léa, coupled with Chéri's childishness and snappishness. Léa treats Chéri like a spoiled child -- which he loves, but at the same time, he wants to grow up. The subject matter of the book feels trite at times, but Colette is very skilled at expressing emotion in dialogue and description. The last thirty pages of this book are gripping and vivid, and make up for some missteps earlier in the novella. However, it feels like a slight work and I think Chéri and Léa simply aren't interesting enough to sustain a narrative.

I will always remember this book as containing a description of the worst cup of coffee ever (though the author thinks it's tasty), "Chéri condescended to praise with an oath his cup of 'housemaid's coffee', made with creamy milk, well sugared, slowly reheated, with buttered toast crumbled into it and browned till it formed a succulent crust."

Toast?? Why would you do that to the poor coffee??