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21 reviews for:
The Red Widow: The Scandal that Shook Paris and the Woman Behind it All
Sarah Horowitz
3.68 AVERAGE
21 reviews for:
The Red Widow: The Scandal that Shook Paris and the Woman Behind it All
Sarah Horowitz
3.68 AVERAGE
Quite interesting! A look into scandal and crime in the Belle Epoque. At its centre is Meg Steinheil, an inveterate liar, about whom the author nevertheless has to tell a convincing biographical account. The crime is unsolved, as it was in Meg's time, but it's a great jumping-off point for looking at the French justice system and high society at the time.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
A well researched and highly entertaining read about a woman (Meg) who took Parisian society by storm. Told chronologically from Meg's childhood through blackmail, affairs, scandals, and even murders. This was truly a gripping and provocative read!
A well researched and highly entertaining read about a woman (Meg) who took Parisian society by storm. Told chronologically from Meg's childhood through blackmail, affairs, scandals, and even murders. This was truly a gripping and provocative read!
adventurous
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Sexual content, Antisemitism, Death of parent, Classism
Minor: Alcoholism, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Lesbophobia
It was very interesting and insightful. I never realized it was tied into so many other things from this time.
adventurous
informative
fast-paced
A pretty fascinating account of a society woman who was very resourceful with the use of her charms; but she told so many lies and even falsely accused innocent people of crime just to help clear her name. Horowitz does a good job keeping facts and speculation and lies separate for the reader; what could be a confusing jumble is clearly laid out for the reader in an engaging way.
Historical true crime in France? Ok, I'm interested. That there are photos because this took place just over 100 years ago adds to the story - we can judge for ourselves if Meg was as alluring as rumored and see the scene of the murders. I also loved that the author doesn't attempt to solve the unsolved, simply pointing out holes in this or that testimony and identifying the rumors as possibly being based in something truthful but still rumors. The biggest problem was that there were times when there was too much repetition, adding nothing to the story.
ARC provided by publisher.
ARC provided by publisher.
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
Told chronologically beginning with Meg’s childhood, this story details the fascinating events of a woman who took Parisian society by storm. Upending bourgeois traditions and becoming a tabloid sensation, this book covers it all.
Clearly a much researched book, the author tells Meg’s story with limited tangents or personal beliefs slipping through.
The author does a great job at walking the reader through the confusion Meg caused while trying to maintain her image in the press at the height of her popularity.
Clearly a much researched book, the author tells Meg’s story with limited tangents or personal beliefs slipping through.
The author does a great job at walking the reader through the confusion Meg caused while trying to maintain her image in the press at the height of her popularity.