How to Read Antoine Laurain’s Books
Antoine Laurain’s novels are celebrated for their warmth, Parisian setting, and a delightful touch of magical realism. Because all of his novels are written as standalones, there is no strict chronological narrative connecting them. You can read them in any order you choose. However, following the publication order is a wonderful way to watch his storytelling style develop.
Where to Start
If you are new to Antoine Laurain, the absolute best starting points are his two breakout novels:
- The President’s Hat: The ultimate feel-good story about a lost hat belonging to François Mitterrand that changes the lives and personalities of everyone who wears it.
- The Red Notebook: A beautifully crafted romantic mystery where a Parisian bookseller finds a discarded handbag and uses the clues in its red notebook to trace its owner.
Antoine Laurain Books in Publication Order
Here is the list of Antoine Laurain's novels in order of their English translation and publication. Because his debut novel was translated later, the French release order differs slightly from the English publishing history.
- The President's Hat (2012 French, 2013 English): A magical black felt hat travels from owner to owner, bringing luck, confidence, and unexpected destiny to everyday Parisians.
- The Red Notebook (2014 French, 2015 English): Bookseller Laurent Letellier finds a lost purse containing a diary full of thoughts, embarking on a quest across Paris to find the woman who wrote them.
- French Rhapsody (2016): A long-lost letter containing a demo tape from a 1980s pop band is finally delivered thirty years late, prompting the former bandmates to reflect on their lives and dreams.
- The Portrait (2007 French, 2017 English): Laurain's debut novel tells the story of an antique dealer who buys a portrait of a 19th-century gentleman that bears a striking resemblance to himself.
- Smoking Kills (2018): A dark comedy following a man who, in his desperate attempt to quit smoking, accidentally discovers a talent for murder.
- Vintage 1954 (2018 French, 2019 English): A magical bottle of Beaujolais wine transports a group of modern-day apartment dwellers back to Paris in the 1950s.
- The Readers' Room (2020): A clever literary mystery set within a publishing house where a manuscript is shortlisted for a major prize, but the author remains a total mystery.
- Red Is My Heart (2022): A poignant, experimental illustrated novella co-created with the street artist Le Sonneur, detailing the emotional journey of heartbreak and healing.
- An Astronomer In Love (2023): A dual-timeline story connecting an 18th-century astronomer tracking the transit of Venus with a modern-day estate agent who discovers his old telescope.
- French Windows (2024): A suspenseful thriller inspired by classic cinema, following a young photographer who begins documenting her neighbors' lives only to find herself entangled in a mystery.
Understanding the French vs. English Order
For readers who want to trace Laurain's growth as a writer, keep in mind that The Portrait (originally published in French as Ailleurs si j'y suis in 2007) is actually his debut novel, but it was not translated into English until 2017, after the massive success of The President's Hat and The Red Notebook. Starting with The Portrait offers a fascinating look at the early themes of antique collecting and chance that would define his later bestsellers.