Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Valery Larbaud (29 August 1881 Vichy 2 February 1957 Vichy) was a French writer.He was born in Vichy, Allier, the only child of a pharmacist. His father died when he was 8, and he was brought up by his mother and aunt. His father had been owner of the Vichy Saint-Yorre mineral water springs, and the family fortune assured him an easy life. He travelled Europe in style. On luxury liners and the Orient Express he carried off the dandy role, with spa visits to nurse fragile health.