Chéri (novel)
| Author | Colette |
|---|---|
| Country | France |
| Language | French |
| Genre | Romance novel |
| Published | 1920 by Calmann-Lévy |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 190 pp |
| OCLC | 3472377 |
| 843.9 | |
| LC Class | PQ2605.O28 |
| Followed by | La Fin de Chéri |
Chéri is a novel by Colette published in French in 1920. The title character's true name is Fred Peloux, but he is known as Chéri to almost everyone, except, usually, to his wife. This novel was followed by a sequel, La Fin de Chéri, published in 1926.
The novel opens with an exchange between Léa and Chéri. It’s made clear that they’re physically involved, and they argue while Chéri plays with Léa’s pearls and thinks on her age. He mentions his marriage prospects, but she seems to take this in stride as they believe their relationship is casual. Readers soon figure out that they have been involved for quite a while (around six years) and that she is forty-nine while he is twenty-five.
She alternatingly obsesses over getting old and celebrates what she’s done and who she has had in her life while demonstrating no remorse over her life as a courtesan. As they often do, the pair playfully fight before making up, and he runs off to meet with his potential bride, Edmée. Edmée is revealed to be a reticent girl with a boisterous, rude mother (Marie-Laure).
At this point, we begin flashing through the course of their relationship. Léa considers Chéri’s mother, Charlotte, a competitor but she also appears to be one of her closest friends. When Chéri was nineteen, Léa mentioned taking a trip to the country. She and Chéri argue a little and end up kissing and travelling together to Normandy where they stay for several months as lovers. At times she thinks that he is so distant, he might as well speak another language. After attempting to have him trained in boxing, the text snaps back to a more recent time.
Chéri is telling Léa of his upcoming marriage to Edmée and is disappointed by her lack of response. Notably, his mother and Edmée’s mother are at war over the couple’s future financial arrangements. After their marriage, Chéri is notably depressed. Léa takes her leave without telling anyone of where she will go and when she will come back. Chéri does not take this news well and wishes constantly to know more while reflecting on the shocking youth of his young (nineteen year old) bride while comparing her with Léa.
After an argument with Edmée, Chéri goes for a late night walk and eventually ends up with a friend, Desmond. He has Desmond call his house for him and tell them first that he’s having dinner and then that he’s staying with Desmond for the night. He doesn’t return home for months though. In this time period, he repeatedly thinks of going home or of divorce, yet he does neither. He pays Desmond for his services, yet he never actually sleeps with the women or does the drugs that are provided. In his absence, Edmée writes him to say that she will wait at their home for further instructions.
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