Gabrielle Sidonie Colette

Colette, Gabrielle Sidonie 

Born Jan. 28, 1873, in St. Sauveur-en-Puisaye, department of Yonne; died Aug. 3, 1954, in Paris. French writer. Member of the Académie Goncourt (1944).

In 1900, Colette published the autobiographical novel Claudine at School, which was written, as were her subsequent novels about Claudine, under her first husband’s pen name, “Willy.” She began using her own name with Dialogues of Animals (1904); she published numerous novels (more than 50), plays, and articles. Colette’s novels depict the rentier society and the people on its fringes—the artistic bohemians (The Vagabond, 1910; and The Wrong Side of the Music Hall, 1913) and the ladies of the demimonde (Chéri, 1920; Chéri’s End, 1926; Russian translation, 1927). While Colette’s detailed descriptions of the professional classes are reminiscent of the works of the Goncourt brothers, her art is devoid of satire and penetrating criticism. Her best works include the reminiscences Claudine’s House (1922) and Sido ( 1930). Her literary diary The Evening Star ( 1946) deals with the occupation of France by the fascist German aggressors and the Resistance Movement. Colette was awarded the order of the Legion of Honor (1953).

WORKS

Oeuvres complètes, vols. 1–15. Paris [1948–50].
Contes des mille et un matins. [Paris, 1970].

REFERENCES

Lunacharskii, A. V. “Koletta Villi.” In his book O teatre i dramaturgii, vol. 2. Moscow, 1958.
Istoriia frantsuzskoi literatury, vol. 4. Moscow, 1963.
Cocteau, J. Colette. Paris, 1955.
Davies, M. Colette. Edinburgh-London, 1961. (Bibliography.)

O. I. IL’INSKAIA