A Leopard-Skin Hat

A Leopard-Skin Hat is an impressive work by French author Anne Serre, nominated for the International Booker Prize. In this moving novel, the complex relationship between the narrator and his close childhood friend Fanny, who suffers from severe mental disorders, is explored. Through a series of short scenes, a portrait of a strong yet tormented young woman emerges, battling her inner demons. Serre masterfully depicts the painful yet loving bond between the narrator and Fanny. The novel reflects the constant fluctuation between hope and despair that accompanies such a relationship, while playfully questioning the form of the novel itself. Written in memory of the author’s deceased sister, A Leopard-Skin Hat serves both as a tribute to a tragically shortened life and a poignant farewell, crafted in Serre's characteristic style.