The experience provided the inspiration for his first novel, the portrait, winner of the prix drouot. The portrait prompts a catalyst of impulsive behaviour, if somewhat humorously unethical at times, to offer a lesson of how our destiny is not shaped by our name alone, and that contentment can be found if only we have the courage to set. Antoine was chosen to represent france at european literature night 2014. Antoine laurains intriguing fourth novel is actually the first one he wrote, just now newly published. Objects are catalysts for transformation also in antoine laurain s the presidents hat and the red notebook both out with gallic books. Antoine laurain is a parisian screenwriter, antiques collector, and prizewinning novelist. He wrote the portrait while working as an assistant to an antiques dealer. His passion for art led him to take a job assisting an antiques. The presidents hat was a 20 aba indies introduce choice. Save up to 80% by choosing the etextbook option for isbn. The portrait by antoine laurain, jane aitken translator.
Like those books, the portrait is about an object that changes someones life. Lost in the paris postal system for decades, the letter from polydor, dated 1983, offers a recording contract to the antoine laurain collection 4 books set includes titles. A truly born and bred parisian, after studying film, he began his career directing short films and writing screenplays. Fiction vintage 1954 antoine laurain jeras jamboree. What i love most about antoine s books are their ability to suprise. While wandering through a paris auction house, avid collector pierrefrancois chaumont is stunned to discover the eighteenthcentury portrait of an unknown man.
In this case, as you can guess from the title, the object is an eighteenth century portrait that pierrefrancois chaumont, a parisian patent attorney with a lifelong love of collecting, finds at an. The portrait 9781910477434, 9781910477458 vitalsource. Ive written about two of antoine laurains other novels here at bookconscious. As he gazes at the portrait as one would see their reflection in a mirror, any understanding they previously had regarding his hobby abruptly splutters to a halt. Antoine laurain proust questionnaire belgravia books. Pierrefrancois chaumont is a lawyer is devoted to surrounding himself with beautiful objects. Laurain is able to build a complex psychological portrait of the life of an obsessive collector in which emotions are channelled into things rather than people. The portrait by antoine laurain reading guidebook club.
In antoine laurens witty novella the portrait, a paris lawyer is given the. Antoine laurain was born in paris, where he still lives. Ive adored the authors previous books well, i adored the presidents hat and the red notebook the most. An introduction to antoine laurain, author of the novel the presidents hat gallic, 20. Antoine laurain author antoine laurain was born in paris and is a journalist, antiques collector and awardwinning author. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. Antoine laurain has written a provocative and uncanny novella that takes place in paris. Sign up for antoine laurains newsletter and keep up to date with his upcoming novels, book signings and events near you. Published on the eve of the french presidential elections of 2012, antoine laurain s novel the presidents hat is a kindle top 5 bestseller and a waterstones book club choice. Buy the paperback book the portrait by antoine laurain at indigo.
Emily boyce is inhouse translator for gallic books. The portrait prompts a catalyst of impulsive behaviour, if somewhat humorously unethical at times, to offer a lesson of how our destiny is not shaped by our name alone, and that contentment can be found if only we have the courage to set ourselves free. Kindle store go search best sellers gift ideas new releases deals store. Antoine laurain author visit amazons antoine laurain page. A layered, and somewhat melancholy, character study of a deeply flawed, but passionate man, the portrait is the story of pierrefrancois, a lawyer who is unsatisfied with his stifling life. His passion for art led him to take a job assisting an antiques dealer in paris. He is a writer, collector and director of several short films. Published on the eve of the french presidential elections of 2012. The portrait was first published in france in 2007 but was released in english only this summer, in jane aitken and emily boyce s excellent translation. Meet antoine laurain, author of the presidents hat, the red notebook, french rhapsody and the portrait. Paris in july ive had this novel to my toread list for months. Antoine laurain is a novelist, screenwriter, journalist, director and collector of antique keys. Interview with writer antoine laurain words with writers.
Antoine laurain on the portrait and more describe your book in one sentence its the story of a man who buys a painting at auction. Buy the portrait by antoine laurain, emily boyce translator, jane aitken translator from amazons fiction books store. The portrait kindle edition by laurain, antoine, aitken. Paul, makes a convincing case for there being no such thing as coincidence. His novel the presidents hat was a waterstones book club and aba indies introduce pick in 20. Get it today with same day delivery, order pickup or drive up. A parisian antiques collector finds himself in a case of mistaken identity after buying a portrait which curiously resembles him.
A fifthgeneration parisian, laurain is a journalist, screenwriter, director, antiques collector, and novelist. The portrait an enthralling mystery about chasing the unknown, the nostalgia for what could have been, and most importantly, the persistence of curiosity. He is also the author of french rhapsody, the portrait, smoking kills and vintage, 1954 is coming out in june 2019. This time a picture paints really does paint a thousand words, none of which will delight a wife uninterested by her husbands passion for antiques. For most of its length, the portrait breezes along, but as the prologue suggests, youll find darkness within.
Antoine laurain was born in paris in the early 1970s. In the usa, antoine laurain was selected for the abas indies introduce debut authors for. The author antoine laurain breathes life into yet another inanimate object, intent on wreaking havoc on an unsuspecting parisian. He is the author of the bestselling novels the presidents hat and the red notebook. Lawyer pierrefrancois chaumont has been a collector of antiques since. Antoine laurain on the portrait and more belgravia. I also follow his instagram account avidly for breathtaking images of paris. Antoine laurain was born in paris and is a journalist, antiques collector and the author of five novels. The portrait by antoine laurain, translated from the french by jane aitken and. The story revolves around a collector, an obsessive collector whose passion began as a child when he decided to start a rubber eraser collection. The portrait is another super original quirky tale unlike any other. The portrait by antoine laurain and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The portrait is a witty novella by the french author antoine laurain.
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