The Collected Stories of Colette

There are one hundred stories in this collection, many of which are fairly short vignettes of 2 or 3 pages. There are a few longer stories and these are the ones that stay in the memory. Most everything by Collette is worth reading, just for some wonderful descriptions of the world around her and these stories come from many periods of her long writing career 1900-1953.
These are English translations from the french by several translators and most of them read very well. They are grouped together so that during her "La Vagabond" period where she was working as an actress for a group of travelling "revue artists" the reader gets a fairly complete picture of backstage life.

Some of her best longer short stories are collected here, The show more Kepi, The Tender Shoot, Gribiche, Green Sealing wax, Bella Vista, The Photographers Wife, Rainy Moon and my own favourite The Rendez-vous. It is however the shorter stories and the cumulative effect of these that left an impression on me after this read. I think for a first time reader of this wonderful french author this is a very good introduction. It would have been useful to have these stories dated and Mr Phelps introduction is a little perfunctory. It should be noted also that this is a collection, it is not the complete stories. 4 stars. show less

I had a hard time getting through these 600 pages of sheer lyricism and character sketches.

I was expecting more substance. The stories are flimsy, held up only by poetic description and the characters are so very shallow. Her themes are mostly based on her pessimistic view of relationship and that is just about all she has to say. I get it but it is depressing that she really seemed to live her life based on this belief. I did like 2 stories out of the 100--"Dawn" and "April." "The Kepi" is her greatest story, profoundly depressing but unforgettable. I can't say I liked it but I also can't forget it. Colette has a power of description but I would not recommend reading all that she wrote. These 3 stories are her best.

I love these beautifully poetic stories from Colette, ranging from the Belle Epoch to her later life. I particularly like the theatre stories. Their deceptive simplicity leaves me breathless. Ah, if only my French was good enough to read this in the original.

My absolute favorite by Colette. I reread this collection of stories like eating a box of chocolates.

I'm only a third of the way through so won't review until I've finished. I am struck at how contemporary her voice is particularly the series of vignettes with a one-sided conversation.

not nearly as good as her other stuff. for a completist only, methinks. but not terrible either. just meh.