Review: The President's Hat by Antoine Laurain

Synopsis: Dining alone in an elegant Parisian brasserie, accountant Daniel Mercier can hardly believe his eyes when French President François Mitterrand sits down to eat at the table next to him. Once 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? Over the course of the next 2 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. As it makes its way from head to head, the wearers find themselves acting with more confidence, decisiveness, authority and panache—just like the original wearer. Some, like Daniel, attribute their new luck to the hat itself, while some are unaware of its magical effects. All, however, find themselves changed by their time spent wearing the president’s hat.

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A light-hearted and quirky short story of how having possession of something new can inspire and give confidence to pursue what you really want.

Set in 1980s Paris, our four main characters - accountant Daniel, aspiring writer Fanny, perfumer Aslan, and aristocrat Bernard - all come into contact with the fifth character - the hat of French President Francois Mitterrand. The journey the hat takes and the impact on the lives of each of the "owners" is skillfully told, and is interwoven with letters between them. 

However, it is the undocumented character of the French President who has the final say as the narrative comes full circle back to the President and the author provides a wrap up of the lives of the characters for the reading audience.