When headhunter Fabrice Valantine faces a smoking ban at work, he decides to undertake a course of hypnotherapy to rid himself of the habit. At first the treatment works, but his stress levels begin to rise when he is passed over for an important promotion and he finds himself lighting up again - but with none of his previous enjoyment. 
Then he discovers something terrible: he accidentally causes a man's death, and needing a cigarette to calm his nerves, he enjoys it more than any other previous smoke. What if he now needs to kill someone every time he wants to properly appreciate his next Benson and Hedges?
An original and totally French black comedy from best-selling author Antoine Laurain.

Smoking Kills

Literature & Fiction

Laurain, Antoine

Humor & Satire

Audible Studios on Brilliance Audio

Avid antiques collector Pierre-Francois Chaumont unearths the find of a lifetime at a Paris auction house: an 18th-century portrait of a gentleman who looks just like him. Researching into the painting's history, he has the chance to abandon his tedious existence and walk into a brand new life.Antoine Laurain is a Parisian screenwriter, antiques collector, and prize-winning novelist. The President's Hat was a 2013 ABA Indies Introduce choice.

The Portrait

The President's Hat

This prize-winning French bestseller is a charming fable about the power of a hat that takes the reader on a roller-coaster ride through French life during the Mitterrand years.
Dining alone in an elegant Parisian brasserie, accountant Daniel Mercier can hardly believe his eyes when President François Mitterrand sits down to eat at the table next to him.
After 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. Antoine Laurain's brilliantly orchestrated tour captures entertaining portraits of a rich gallery of characters.
Shot through with a delicious, wicked sense of humor, The President's Hat is a vivid re-creation of the everyday life of an era.
"As entertaining as it is original, this is a story to enjoy like a chocolate with a surprise centre."—Marie France
"An enjoyable trip into the heart of the 1980s."—Le Figaro
"Impossible to resist"—L'Express
Antoine Laurain was born in Paris. He is a writer, collector, and director of several short films.

Humor & Entertainment

Humor

Gallic Books

"Laurain presents the story as if it were reportage, but with the confidence of an age-old storyteller."—San Francisco Book Review "Laurain's gentle, satirical humor remind this reviewer of Jacques Tati's classic films, and, no, you don't have to know French politics to enjoy this charming novel. Fans of Muriel Barbery's The Elegance of the Hedgehog will want this."—Library Journal "A hymn to la vie Parisienne . . . enjoy it for its fabulistic narrative, and the way it teeters pleasantly on the edge of Gallic whimsy."—The Guardian Heroic bookseller Laurent Letellier comes across an abandoned handbag on a Parisian street. There's nothing in the bag to indicate who it belongs to, although there's all sorts of other things in it. Laurent feels a strong impulse to find the owner and tries to puzzle together who she might be from the contents of the bag. Especially a red notebook with her jottings, which really makes him want to meet her. Without even a name to go on, and only a few of her possessions to help him, how is he to find one woman in a city of millions? The Red Notebook has already been sold in twelve different languages. French TV is making a film of The President's Hat and the movie rights of The Red Notebook have been sold to UGC. Antoine Laurain was born in Paris. He is the author of five novels, including The President's Hat.

The Red Notebook

Praise for The Red Notebook:
"An endearing love story written in beautifully poetic prose. It is an enthralling mystery about chasing the unknown, the nostalgia for what could have been, and most importantly, the persistence of curiosity."—San Francisco Book Review
Praise for The President's Hat:
"Its gentle satirical humor reminded me of Jacques Tati's classic films."—Library Journal
"Irresistibly whimsical, possessed of wit somewhere between that of Alan Bennett's in The Uncommon Reader and Muriel Barbery's in The Elegance of the Hedgehog, and thoroughly entertaining"—The King's English Bookshop, Salt Lake City
Antoine Laurain's new novel combines his trademark charm with a satirical take on modern France.
Middle-aged doctor Alain Massoulier has received a life-changing letter—thirty-three years too late.
Lost in the Paris postal system for decades, the letter from Polydor, dated 1983, offers a recording contract to The Holograms, in which Alain played lead guitar.
Back then The Holograms had believed in their cutting-edge sound. However, the music industry remained indifferent, and eventually the band split up, each going their own way.
Alain is overcome by nostalgia, and is tempted to track down the members of the group. But in a world where everything and everyone has changed . . . where will his quest take him?
Antoine Laurain is a Parisian screenwriter, antiques collector and the author of six novels, three of which are available in English. The President's Hat was a 2013 ABA Indies Introduce choice.

French Rhapsody

An enthralling mystery about chasing the unknown, the nostalgia for what could have been, and most importantly, the persistence of curiosity.” San Francisco Book Review on The Red Notebook
Avid antiques collector Pierre-François Chaumont unearths the find of a lifetime at a Paris auction house: an eighteenth-century portrait of a gentleman who looks just like him. Researching into the painting's history, he has the chance to abandon his tedious existence and walk into a brand new life . . .
Antoine Laurain is a Parisian screenwriter, antiques collector, and prize-winning novelist. The President’s Hat was a 2013 ABA Indies Introduce choice.

"An endearing love story written in beautifully poetic prose." —San Francisco Book Review
"A heartwarming tale." —San Diego Book Review
"Resist this novel if you can." —The Times
A pocket-sized, cloth-bound edition of the bestselling novel about a Parisian bookseller's quest to find the owner of a handbag with intriguing contents.

How far would you go to enjoy a cigarette? When headhunter Fabrice Valantine faces a smoking ban at work, he decides to undertake a course of hypnotherapy to rid himself of the habit. At first the treatment works, but his stress levels begin to rise when he is passed over for an important promotion and he finds himself lighting up again - but with none of his previous enjoyment. Then he discovers something terrible: he accidentally causes a mans death, and needing a cigarette to calm his nerves, he enjoys it more than any other previous smoke. What if he now needs to kill someone every time he wants to properly appreciate his next Benson and Hedges? An original and totally French black comedy from bestselling author, Antoine Laurain.

'A glorious time-slip caper... Just wonderful’ Daily Mail
 'Delightfully nostalgic escapism set in a gorgeously conjured Paris of 1954' Sunday Mirror When Hubert Larnaudie invites some fellow residents of his Parisian apartment building to drink an exceptional bottle of 1954 Beaujolais, he has no idea of its special properties. The following morning, Hubert finds himself waking up in 1950s Paris, as do antique restorer Magalie, mixologist Julien, and Airbnb tenant Bob from Milwaukee, who's on his first trip to Europe. After their initial shock, the city of Edith Piaf and An American in Paris begins to work its charm on them. The four delight in getting to know the French capital during this iconic period, whilst also playing with the possibilities that time travel allows. But, ultimately, they need to work out how to get back to 2017, and time is of the essence...

Vintage 1954

The Readers' Room

From the author of The Red Notebook, described as 'Parisian perfection' by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, The Readers' Room is a thrilling murder mystery set in the world of publishing. 
‘The plot blends mystery with comedy to great effect’– Daily Mail 
When the manuscript of a debut crime novel arrives at a Parisian publishing house, everyone in the readers’ room is convinced it’s something special. And the committee for France’s highest literary honour, the Prix Goncourt, agrees. 
But when the shortlist is announced, there’s a problem for editor Violaine Lepage: she has no idea of the author’s identity. As the police begin to investigate a series of murders strangely reminiscent of those recounted in the book, Violaine is not the only one looking for answers. And, suffering memory blanks following an aeroplane accident, she’s beginning to wonder what role she might play in the story ... 
Antoine Laurain, bestselling author of The Red Notebook, combines intrigue and charm in this dazzling novel of mystery, love and the power of books.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Laurain, Antoine. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Laurain, Antoine

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Laurain, Antoine. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Smoking Kills

The Portrait

The President's Hat

The Red Notebook

French Rhapsody

The Portrait

The Red Notebook

Smoking Kills

Vintage 1954

The Readers' Room