There is a tragicomic love affair in Cheri and The Last Of Cheri. The alias for Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette is Colette (1873–1954). In English-speaking nations she is most known for her novel Gig which later served as the inspiration for a Lerner & Loewe musical film and stage production. Léa de Lonval a successful but ageing courtesan and Chéri a pampered young lover are the subjects of the novels Cheri and The Last Of Cheri. When Chéri weds Marie-Laure who is eighteen their sentiments become more apparent.