Paul Morand – författare

A feverish classic from one of the modern masters of French prose

No one can keep up with Pierre Niox, the speediest antiques dealer in Paris - although not necessarily the most competent. As he dashes about at a dizzying pace, his impatience becomes too much to bear for those around him: his manservant, his only friend and even his cat abandon him. He begins to find that while he is racing through life, it is passing him by.

But when Pierre falls in love with the languid, unpunctual Hedwige, the man in a hurry has to learn how to slow down. This feverish classic by one of the modern masters of French prose is a witty and touching parable for our busy times.

'Enchanting... the closest anyone can get to a face-to-face with Coco.' Spectator

The story of Coco Chanel's life, as told by her to Paul Morand

Coco Chanel invited Paul Morand to visit her in St Moritz at the end of the Second World War when he was given the opportunity to write her memoirs; his notes of their conversations were put away in a drawer and only came to light one year after Chanel's death.

Through Morand's transcription of their conversations, Chanel tells us about her friendship with Misia Sert, the men in her life - Boy Capel, the Duke of Westminster, artists such as Diaghilev, her philosophy of fashion and the story behind the legendary Number 5 perfume...

The memories of Chanel told in her own words provide vivid sketches and portray the strength of Coco's character, leaving us with an extraordinary insight into Chanel the woman and the woman who created Chanel.

Part of the Pushkin Press Classics series: timeless storytelling by icons of literature, hand-picked from around the globe.

Translated by Euan Cameron.

Paul Morand (1888-1976) was born in Paris. After studying at the École des Sciences Politiques, he joined the diplomatic corps and served in London, Rome, Berne and Bucharest. His first collection of stories, Tender Shoots, was introduced by Marcel Proust. In a long and busy life, he found time to write poetry, novels, short stories and travel books. Morand was made a member of the Académie Française and died in 1976, the same year that The Allure of Chanel was first published in Paris. His books The Man in a Hurry, Hecate and Her Dogs, Tender Shoots and Venices are also published by Pushkin Press.

Nouvelle édition, illustrée par Karl Lagerfeld. Ce dernier livre de Paul Morand, l''un des plus attachants de son oeuvre, réunit, au passage, des portraits de Missia Sert, Erik Satie, Serge Lifar, Georges Auric, Raymond Radiguet, Jean Cocteau, Picasso, Churchill, etc. Écrit au jour le jour des conversations de Morand avec elle, ce livre restitue, dans la prose merveilleuse du grand conteur, le personnage même de l''insaisissable, mystérieuse et attachante créature dont Malraux a dit : « Chanel, de Gaulle et Picasso sont les plus grandes figures de notre temps ». Salué aussitôt paru, en 1976, comme un grand livre de fête, un joyau raffiné et étincelant, le livre a tenté Karl Lagerfeld, qui l''a orné de soixante-treize dessins spécialement créés à l''automne 1996 pour cette nouvelle édition intégrale.