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Mademoiselle Chanel A Novel C W Gortner Books

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Mademoiselle Chanel A Novel C W Gortner Books

Everything about this book works; the setting, "narration," character development...nothing was left to chance. I read about 50 books each year and this novel is hands down, the best historical fiction I've read. I'm drawn to novels about this time period but so often they're about love lost during the wars or displaced families and lost wealth. I stay as far as I can from romance and chick lit but this book deals overwhelmingly with female characters and complicated relationships but never degenerates into sappy descriptions. In addition to a tightly written story, Gortner manages to drop the reader into the setting by his descriptions of smells. I could almost smell Coco relentless cigarettes and her perfume and hear the waves while she vacationed. The description of the German military office and French police station were indeed chilling. Even her outbursts of anger seemed to place the reader in the scene.

One of my most prized possessions is a red Chanel bag I purchased 26 years ago...knowing the "history" behind it makes it that much more special. BTW: this would be a perfect book club selection...gripping story and little if anything, to offend anyone!


Tags : Amazon.com: Mademoiselle Chanel: A Novel (9780062356406): C. W. Gortner: Books,C. W. Gortner,Mademoiselle Chanel: A Novel,William Morrow,0062356402,Biographical fiction,Chanel, Coco,Clothing trade,Clothing trade;Fiction.,Fashion designers,Fashion designers;Fiction.,Historical fiction,Paris (France),Rich people,Rich people;Fiction.,Sisters,(OCoLC)fst00012335,1883-1971,1883-1971.,American Historical Fiction,Biographical,Chanel, Coco,,Cultural Heritage,FICTION Biographical,FICTION Cultural Heritage,FICTION Historical General,Fiction,Fiction - General,FictionCultural Heritage,FictionHistorical - General,Historical - General,Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945)

Mademoiselle Chanel A Novel C W Gortner Books Reviews

Coco Chanel had a fascinating, unconventional life and lived through a historically active time including 2 world wars. I have read several other novels about the German occupation of France and they all fit in with this one. I have always been curious about coco Chanel since my mother used Chanel number 5. I also remember her suits being popular when I was growing up. It was well written and a great read.
I had never known about the complicated life of Coco Chanel. The author portrayed her character and personality in a way that was very clearly understood based on her early childhood experiences and bizarre relationships throughout her life. Her tenacity, creativity, and sense of self came through the story, from the very beginning to the last page. Mademoiselle Chanel is a great story of a very interesting woman, whose legacy still lives on, from her signature fragrance to her little black dress and beyond.
I liked the author's straightforward style, the historical details of life in Paris before & during WW II , and an up-close look at the intriguing Coco Chanel. I've always loved Chanel No. 5 perfume & enjoyed reading about its conception & long life. It has been such fun eavesdropping on a famous woman's life whose name I've always known. I rarely rate a book a 5-star score, but this one had all the elements that appeal to me. I think book clubs would devour this tasty & exotic bio in novel form!

-- by Nancy Anne
I really enjoyed this historical novel written in the first person. It is well researched about the humble beginnings of Coco Chanel and her rise in the fashion world. The background included both World Wars and her life in Paris, with the elite of society that included famous artists (Picasso, Dali), dancers, composers, deposed Russian aristocracy, as well as British and French high society. She was a complex character, with an assortment of longtime love affairs and friendships. Her dry wit and humor are legendary. All in all, it was a fascinating tale in that time period. It was also very interesting to see how Chanel's clothing lines, jewelry, and perfumes developed into what is known today as the House of Chanel. Highly recommend!
An excellent biography of a woman ahead of her time. I knew next to nothing about Coco, the woman, before I read this book. Some reviews mentioned that it glossed over her anti-semitic views. It might also have glossed over her penchant of sleeping with many men, but I have admiration for this feisty woman who actually had to fight her way to the top by herself. She never had someone who truly loved and assisted her. Some reviewers found her unlikable, but I found the way she was portrayed was probably on the nail, given her circumstances. And she was extremely generous with her money when she felt someone needed help. Do, however, keep in mind that this is a novel for those who want to know about the life of Gabrielle (Coco) Chanel. Unless she interests you, this might not be the book for you.
I have to admit to a certain amount of ignorance about Coco Chanel -- other than the fact that i've coveted her iconic fragrances and make up since I was old enough to browse the aisles of Saks and Bloomingdale's. Knowing how Gortner's previous novels have grabbed me and sucked me in, i had every reasonable belief that Mademoiselle Chanel would do the same.

I was not disappointed.

In the classic rags-to-riches story of this fashion legend (who, in fact, is more legendary than Chanel?), I became part of the story of a young, dispossessed child who, from the start, learned to be disappointed in men. If Gortner made this all up, it would be unbelievable -- but he didn't. We watch this young, independent seamstress become a rising star, building her empire from scratch (with a little help from benefactors), having the vision to see a woman's world through a classical, sophisticated, yet interestingly low-key style. Gortner's description of Chanel's battles with the likes of the over-the-top Schiaparelli were, for me, a microcosm of Chanel's life.

Again, pleading ignorance here, I had no idea that Chanel was implicated as a spy during WWII and frankly, coming to know a little of what formed her inner being from Gortner, i don't buy it. I suppose that is for the ages. That she left her beloved Paris for Switzerland after Vichy fell and the French who remained behind during the German occupation were stigmatized and prosecuted is a testament to her courage in reinventing herself -- as she did time and again during the course of her long life.

This is a well-researched, deeply felt biographical novel. Although i'm not a fashion maven, Gortner's insights and his desire to create an accessible, reachable Coco -- a Coco who was not always accessible even to those she loved and who loved her -- is a testament to his talent as a writer. Beautifully written, very much in the moment, this is a first-class piece of historical fiction.
Everything about this book works; the setting, "narration," character development...nothing was left to chance. I read about 50 books each year and this novel is hands down, the best historical fiction I've read. I'm drawn to novels about this time period but so often they're about love lost during the wars or displaced families and lost wealth. I stay as far as I can from romance and chick lit but this book deals overwhelmingly with female characters and complicated relationships but never degenerates into sappy descriptions. In addition to a tightly written story, Gortner manages to drop the reader into the setting by his descriptions of smells. I could almost smell Coco relentless cigarettes and her perfume and hear the waves while she vacationed. The description of the German military office and French police station were indeed chilling. Even her outbursts of anger seemed to place the reader in the scene.

One of my most prized possessions is a red Chanel bag I purchased 26 years ago...knowing the "history" behind it makes it that much more special. BTW this would be a perfect book club selection...gripping story and little if anything, to offend anyone!