Gigi (1944)

Las obras de Colette, llenas de sensualidad, además de la evidente belleza exterior de la autora reflejan también su pensamiento. "Gigi" fue publicada en 1944, y una de sus últimas novelas, además de un gran éxito editorial que fue llevado al cine por Vicente Minelli.
No hay que olvidar que Colette fue la autora francesa más leída de su tiempo, pero es que además su literatura era bien considerada, lo que demuestra el hecho de que llegó a ser presidenta de la academia Goncourt.
Gigi es hija de una mujer pobre, y su progenitora y familiares más cercanos pretenden educarla para la prostitución, algo para lo que ella sabe que no ha sido hecha. No juzga a las prostitutas, sino que las retrata como profesionales, y al mismo tiempo la historia es una crítica social del papel de la mujer a principios del siglo XX y de la educación que se le daba, al mismo tiempo que niega el determinismo ambiental, desarrollada en un entorno que la autora conocía muy bien. ( )

Short and sweet, Gigi offers a glimpse into the decadence of fin-de-siecle Paris, the scandals, the life and morals of women who lived their lives as celebrated, high-class courtesans - mistresses to important men, celebrities of gossip magazines, recipients of fabulous jewels. Gigi, a young innocent girl is groomed for such life - but she recoils from it. But all is well when it ends well. ( )

Gigi is a short novella about a girl raised by courtesans to be a courtesan in the late 1890s, without ever realizing that that's what she's supposed to do. It's also one of those books where the movie based on it is famous enough that most people don't realize that there is a book. So I should note now that Maurice Chevalier's character was invented for the musical and doesn't exist in the book. Very sad, I know.

Young Gilberte is growing older, but she sees no reason why things need to change because of this. Her grandmother and great-aunt Alicia on the other hand, are starting to get nervous, because she lacks "sense". Courtesans in their youth, they are worried that Gigi won't be able to attract the right kind of man. So they begin training her intensively. However, it's clear early on that Gigi doesn't think like they do, so when she accidentally attracts an wealthy family friend, will she be ready to take the plunge or will Gigi take matters into her own hands and break with tradition once and for all.

This extremely short novella is perfectly plotted, and an extremely fun read. Highly recommended for everyone who loves a good story. Even if you never liked the musical. ( )

SPOILER ALERT! A fin-de-siecle slice of life about a girl who manages to win the golden (wedding) ring instead of becoming a courtesan as everyone around her expects. It's easy reading and quick, and it manages to make the whole situation (a young girl coming of age and being primed to become a mistress) charming instead of creepy. ( )

At first appearances, the short novella is cute, light fare seeped in the richness of the Gilded Age in France. It soon turns into a witty satire of love and relationships.

Raised by her grandmother, Gigi is a girl on the verge of womanhood who is being primed for a life as a courtesan. She comes from generations of courtesans, with their own moral system and rules, of which Gigi must learn in her lessons with her Aunt Alicia. The hypocricy and silliness of these lessons is not lost on Gigi, and her greatest joy is childishly teasing Gaston, a family friend who often pays a call on her grandmother. They interact so easily, that Gigi's family makes plans for Gaston to be Gigi's first lover. After hesitation on both sides, they decide to give it a try - with disasterous results. But the novel resolves itself sweetly, like a delectable bonbon.

Gigi's transformation is astounding: from a rough-around-the-edges, tomboyish child to an elegant lady in love. She becomes wiser when she realizes that the artifices taught by her Aunt Alicia repulse Gaston, and resolves to love him as she is. Gaston, on the other hand, is a bored tycoon who finds happiness away from the upper crust's hypocrisy at Gigi's more humble home. He is horrified when Gigi adopts the mannerisms of his past lovers and spurns her, but soon realizes that he needs her. Gigi is his anchor in a duplicitous world, and he learns he cannot turn her into just another one of his lovers. ( )