The President's Hat
By (Author) Antoine Laurain
Translated by Jane Aitken
Translated by Emily Boyce
Translated by Louise Rogers Lalaurie
Pushkin Press
Pushkin Press
1st July 2025
27th March 2025
United Kingdom
General
Fiction
843.92
Paperback
208
Width 129mm, Height 198mm
Dining alone in an elegant Parisian brasserie, accountant Daniel Mercier can hardly believe his eyes when President Franois Mitterrand sits down to eat at the table next to him. Once the presidential party has gone, Daniel discovers that Mitterrand's black felt hat has been left behind. After a few moments' soul-searching, Daniel decides to keep the hat as a souvenir of an extraordinary evening. It's a perfect fit, and as he leaves the restaurant Daniel begins to feel somehow . . . different.
Has Daniel unwittingly discovered the secret of supreme power For two years the iconic item of headgear plays with the lives of the men and women who wear it, bringing them success that had previously eluded them. Shot through with a delicious, wicked sense of humour, The President's Hat is a vivid re-creation of 1980s Paris, and an enchanting exploration of life's possibilities.
'A hymn to la vie Parisienne' - Guardian
'A fable of romance and redemption' - Telegraph
'Impossible to resist' - L'Express
'As entertaining as it is original, this is the story to enjoy like a chocolate with a surprise centre' - Marie France
Antoine Laurain was born in Paris and is a journalist, antiques collector and award-winning author of ten novels, including The Red Notebook and The President's Hat. His books have been translated into 25 languages and sold more than 200,000 copies in English. He lives in Paris, France.