The Complete Claudine

This is the closest to a tome in living fully I have ever come across. I consider it today, something like "The Bible" - Colette is absolute genius. If you like stories of people who dared to be who they were during a time when it was highly frowned upon... get this book.. it is the ultimate introductory tome to the wonderful world of Colette.

This book is my first foray into Colette, and it was a great introduction indeed! Fresh and fun after a full century, I fell in love with the entire cast of characters. Finishing the book, it was a crushing blow to say goodbye to them. I look forward to reading more Colette in the future.

the paper used in this edition is rough and too thin. I wish it had better paper, but I'm keeping it anyway. Theright edition is crucial tome, so I'm glad Amazon lists different ones.

As advertised

The book is a gift after we saw the movie.

Print is small on this omnibus

good book and reading

Outstanding service. Product is as advertised.

As stories about early 20th century school girls go, this one is OK 🤔Bought this on the spur of the moment after watching Collette. Really enjoyed the film, never heard of her before that. Pretty bad considering she's the biggest selling author in France. So bought this.Any way, it's ok, if you've got the slightest interest in this after watching the film, buy it, read it, and move on.

I'd heard of Colette without really knowing anything about her, so when I chanced across 'Claudine at School' in my local library I grabbed it. I loved it so much that I tried to find others in the series, but couldn't. Amazon came to the rescue with this edition, which combines all four Claudine stories in one volume.Apart from the beautiful, evocative descriptions of the Burgundy countryside, and later of Parisian life, you would never guess that these books were written over a hundred years ago, such is the vibrancy of Colette's superbly sensuous prose. Right from the beginning of 'Claudine at School' I was struck by the reality of scenes: we are taken right there, to this rural French school in 1900, complete with the cheeky, flirtatious, rebellious schoolgirls, chief amongst whom is Claudine, the narrator, based on Colette herself, as these books are semi-autobiographical. All the characters come alive, but it is Colette's lively, earthy sense of humour that really captivates.Colette is now recognized as one of France's greatest writers, and I'm surprised that she isn't better-known internationally. Very French, very sensual, and above all, bursting with life, these novels caused quite a stir when they first came out, even in France, with their strong underlying currents of sexuality and hints of lesbianism. This edition sticks with the original 1956 English translation by Antonia White, and what a fantastic job she did to retain the spirit of this highly-spirited writing.Although these four volumes supposedly make up the 'Claudine' series, the final book 'Claudine and Annie' is quite different. Whereas 'Claudine in Paris' and 'Claudine Married' keep to the style of 'Claudine at School', losing some of the innocence as she grows up but none of the spirit and humour, 'Claudine and Annie' is narrated by Annie while Claudine is relegated to being just one of several main characters. In the process we lose most of the sparkle and wit, and after the other books this one is a disappointment. However, the first three volumes form the bulk of this edition and deserve nothing less than five stars.

Item arrived in good time exactly as described

Another one of my favourite authors. A huge book (content wise), and in my opinion, was value for money. Great. Thank you.

Good value, can’t wait to start it