Colette, a Passion for Life

Although this spirited pictorial retelling of the life story of Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette contains no revelations, as written by this French journalist it is more enjoyable to read than previous biographies. Of particular appeal are the 488 illustrations (30 in color) of the blonde, green-eyed, long-haired beauty who became the outstanding French woman writer of this century. Delightful photographs, drawings and cartoons depict Colette's family, friends and houses, her appearance as a child, as a young woman, as music hall performer, nude, in a contemplative mood, expressing her ambivalent sexuality, as wife to three very different types of men, and as legendary lover of cats. The illustrations are well arranged and beautifully reproduced in a book of taste and charm. November 25