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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
3.5 stars. This is a tough one to review because Chanel was one of the most disgusting, nauseating Nazi-collaborators, who used every ounce of her fame to weasel her way out of everything (with Winston Churchill’s help). Newly opened files give insight to her activities. This is a novel based on her life; the author imagines her nephew as her secret son, and changes other biographical information - which is to be expected in a novel. I learned a lot of details about France and the French during the German occupation. What I disliked is the author’s attempt to make Chanel a sympathetic woman. I can allow that she was a business woman long before it was popular or easy, and that she was taken advantage of several times in her business life. But she did the same to many others, some of whom could have used her help and others whom she simply dismissed as unnecessary to promote herself and so dispensable. Ugh. Horrible woman. Also…book is too long.
Coco Chanel. A mystery to me. I've wanted to read more about her for sometime but never felt drawn to any of the novels I found about her. This one was different. I immediately fell in love with this gorgeous cover and that alone made me decide to read it.
We begin in Paris when Coco's Jewish business partner, Pierre is trying to steal her formula for Chanel Number 5. Coco will not stand by and let this happen. She quickly hatches a plan to take her company back from Pierre along with her most prized perfume. The story continues on as the war rages on and gets worse all over Europe. It quickly reaches Paris but Coco doesn't make a fuss. She simply isnt that concerned.
The story takes us to the early days of Chanel's life when she was just a girl and not yet famous. The timeline was flawless in delivery and the author seemed to be a great researcher of the time, the country and of Coco Chanel's unique personality. I really immersed myself into this novel. The detailed descriptions added to the suspense of the story at times and also added to the beauty of the landscape being described. By the end I felt I knew Coco's story more in depth than i had before.
I would highly recommend this exquisite historical fiction read to all HF lovers. It does not disappoint.
We begin in Paris when Coco's Jewish business partner, Pierre is trying to steal her formula for Chanel Number 5. Coco will not stand by and let this happen. She quickly hatches a plan to take her company back from Pierre along with her most prized perfume. The story continues on as the war rages on and gets worse all over Europe. It quickly reaches Paris but Coco doesn't make a fuss. She simply isnt that concerned.
The story takes us to the early days of Chanel's life when she was just a girl and not yet famous. The timeline was flawless in delivery and the author seemed to be a great researcher of the time, the country and of Coco Chanel's unique personality. I really immersed myself into this novel. The detailed descriptions added to the suspense of the story at times and also added to the beauty of the landscape being described. By the end I felt I knew Coco's story more in depth than i had before.
I would highly recommend this exquisite historical fiction read to all HF lovers. It does not disappoint.
challenging
slow-paced
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Library
Thank you Netgalley, Blackstone Publishing and Pamela Binnings Ewen for free e-ARC in return of my honest review.
Coco Chanel is a very controversial figure in history. Acknowledged fashion designer, seamstress, business women and creator of the most sold perfume in the World, Chanel #5, She is also a possible Nazi-collaborator and traitor of France. Or she is a member of French Resistance. She is also a mother of a son who is was a Prisoner of War in Nazi camps. Her story will always be fascinating as we probably will never know the truth.
First of all, I am biased as I love Chanel, as a designer and as a historical figure. No matter who she was, I believe her to be a strong-willed woman and one of a kind seamstress. Thanks to Chanel, women started to wear pants ans said goodbye to uncomfortable garments.
I enjoyed reading The Queen of Paris. I feel like Pamela Binnings Ewen did a great job building Chanel's character from all the information available. The volume of research the author did is enormous. Ewen choose to explore Chanel's war years in Ritz, Paris, her struggle to save her son from Nazi camp and her battle for her perfume, Chanel #5. The author manages to show Chanel's stubbornness and desire to win through the pages. Chanel came alive in this book.
As for the plot - I find it quite interesting and intriguing at parts. It made me ask questions to myself about patriotism, motherhood and protection of one''s intellectual property.
if you love historical fiction, please give it a go, you would find some interesting facts and their interpretations.
Coco Chanel is a very controversial figure in history. Acknowledged fashion designer, seamstress, business women and creator of the most sold perfume in the World, Chanel #5, She is also a possible Nazi-collaborator and traitor of France. Or she is a member of French Resistance. She is also a mother of a son who is was a Prisoner of War in Nazi camps. Her story will always be fascinating as we probably will never know the truth.
First of all, I am biased as I love Chanel, as a designer and as a historical figure. No matter who she was, I believe her to be a strong-willed woman and one of a kind seamstress. Thanks to Chanel, women started to wear pants ans said goodbye to uncomfortable garments.
I enjoyed reading The Queen of Paris. I feel like Pamela Binnings Ewen did a great job building Chanel's character from all the information available. The volume of research the author did is enormous. Ewen choose to explore Chanel's war years in Ritz, Paris, her struggle to save her son from Nazi camp and her battle for her perfume, Chanel #5. The author manages to show Chanel's stubbornness and desire to win through the pages. Chanel came alive in this book.
As for the plot - I find it quite interesting and intriguing at parts. It made me ask questions to myself about patriotism, motherhood and protection of one''s intellectual property.
if you love historical fiction, please give it a go, you would find some interesting facts and their interpretations.
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This story felt like a copy and paste of the book I read last year Mademoiselle Chanel by C.W. Gortner. I was hoping for more of the Romance of Chanel how she grew into who she was. The designing when she changed fashion and the world for women. It would be an interesting read if you haven't read Gortner's book.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated