Claudine at School

The remarkable debut novel from Colette, one of the most beloved French writers in history.

Claudine lives in a small rural village in France and attends the local girls school. Headstrong, rebellious and a lover of mischief, she knows how to fill her days with adventure. Claudine at School is part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library; a series of stunning, pocket-sized classics bound in real cloth with gold foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover. This edition is translated from French by Janet Flanner, who was an extraordinary writer and journalist. She was the Paris correspondent for The New Yorker for fifty years. From gossip to exams, to crushes and betrayals, Claudine treats us like her closest friend, telling us her deepest secrets. In a day-to-day account of her life at school, we learn that she falls head over heels in love with Miss Aimee - one of her teachers - which leads to a brief affair; she provocatively plays with the affections of a young pupil; and she boldly defies the strict headmistress. Clever, crafty and fiercely independent, Claudine thrives at the centre of the action. Immensely witty, utterly charming and closely reminiscent of Colette’s own life, Claudine at School is a love letter to rural France and the joie de vivre of youth. This Macmillan Collector’s Library edition is introduced by acclaimed writer Paul Bailey.