Reviews - Chanel: An Intimate Life. by Lisa Chaney

I wanted to like this book more than I did. Chaney goes into deep detail in the life of Gabrielle Chanel, and manages to paint a compelling and complex portrait of a woman driven toward incredible success by a fear of loneliness and abandonment. However, it was just long, and felt draggy at times due to the overwhelming about of detail.

silverfush's review against another edition

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3.0

Certainly an interesting woman. I get the sense the author gives Coco the benefit of the doubt about her involvement with the Germans in WW2. Coco certainly got off lighter than many other women who behaved in a similar manner.
Regardless, the woman is an icon, her clothes are classics, and her ability to have managed to work her way to the top (admittedly with the help of influential people) is something to admire.

pjelenek's review against another edition

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4.0

The best book ever written about life of the iconic Coco Chanel.

lisa61's review

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informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.75

ruthmittiga's review against another edition

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2.0

I don't think it would be possible to write a less intimate Intimate Life. I am amazed I kept going with this book till the end. It was somewhat interesting, but I don't know French at all and always have trouble keeping French names straight. Also Gabrielle (Coco's actual name and what they used throughout the book) slept with a German officer after Germany occupied France and was an anti-semite, but GTM, Coco! You gotta do what you gotta do.

cami4402's review against another edition

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3.0

i never really had any sort of interest about coco chanel but this book really did a good job of telling her story. it incorporated so much history and it touched a lot on her mental and sexual struggles. i also found her work with dancers particularly interesting. wouldn’t read again though

josiahhall's review against another edition

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challenging informative mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

4.0

jdintelmann's review against another edition

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informative slow-paced

3.5

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