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30 reviews for:
Chanel's Riviera: Glamour, Decadence, and Survival in Peace and War, 1930-1944
Anne de Courcy
3.43 AVERAGE
30 reviews for:
Chanel's Riviera: Glamour, Decadence, and Survival in Peace and War, 1930-1944
Anne de Courcy
3.43 AVERAGE
3.5 stars!
In a nutshell, half of this book is about Coco Chanel’s glitzy, glamorous Riviera at a time when the Kennedys, Picasso, the Duke and Duchess Windsor, and many others were visiting and rubbing elbows with her. Chanel was a beauty and drop dead intelligent, which inspired awe in those who interacted with her. That said, the book shows other, darker sides to Chanel. These other sides were pertinent to what was happening all around her.
Meanwhile, the other half is about the Nazis who were about to destroy much more than this glamorous world. The Riviera was filled with refugees and those displaced from the war and seeking safety and asylum.
Overall, this is a well-written book, and I soaked up all the facts about this region and these starkly contrasting times in history.
I received a gifted copy from the publisher. Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
In a nutshell, half of this book is about Coco Chanel’s glitzy, glamorous Riviera at a time when the Kennedys, Picasso, the Duke and Duchess Windsor, and many others were visiting and rubbing elbows with her. Chanel was a beauty and drop dead intelligent, which inspired awe in those who interacted with her. That said, the book shows other, darker sides to Chanel. These other sides were pertinent to what was happening all around her.
Meanwhile, the other half is about the Nazis who were about to destroy much more than this glamorous world. The Riviera was filled with refugees and those displaced from the war and seeking safety and asylum.
Overall, this is a well-written book, and I soaked up all the facts about this region and these starkly contrasting times in history.
I received a gifted copy from the publisher. Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
informative
slow-paced
An interesting and gossipy read about the Riviera before and during the war years and how it became a haven from a world in disarray. It's not really about Chanel, though, so be forewarned.
I won a copy of this book from Goodreads Giveaways.
I feel like there was too much happening here for the length this book ended up being. Since it’s relatively slim, there are a lot of characters packed into a small amount of pages to start, and then when the “meat” of the book actually begins—the recounting of the war—our main character Chanel is not even in the Riviera so the main premise of the book is a little bit of a let down. The account of the war in Paris and the Côte d’Azur is really fascinating (in the macabre way that WWII accounts are) but ultimately this book is a just ok read.
I feel like there was too much happening here for the length this book ended up being. Since it’s relatively slim, there are a lot of characters packed into a small amount of pages to start, and then when the “meat” of the book actually begins—the recounting of the war—our main character Chanel is not even in the Riviera so the main premise of the book is a little bit of a let down. The account of the war in Paris and the Côte d’Azur is really fascinating (in the macabre way that WWII accounts are) but ultimately this book is a just ok read.
informative
medium-paced
This book discusses the French Riviera, Cote d'Azur. Both the rich and famous love to visit this area, as it is full of luxury resorts and shopping, as well as being on the Mediterranean coast. There are many attractions there for people wanting to visit, including a beautiful art museum that I would personally love to see. I looked up some pictures of this place as I am an untraveled American, and the architecture is amazing. It is truly a beautiful place, and I can see why it is a holiday destination. Specific to this book, there were some very well known visitors to the area between 1930 and 1944. The Mitfords, Kennedys, Pablo Picasso, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and Coco Chanel were all circulating the area at this time. This discusses how people sought a respite from wartime problems, which all ended when France surrendered to Germany. Of course, we also know that some of those mentioned above had close ties with members of the Nazi Party.
I really have enjoyed all of the books that I have read by this author. I think the writing is very engaging, and easy to read and follow. The research is well done, and gives a lot of historical context to the people and places that are discussed in the book. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it for people who are interested in World War II and how people navigated holidays and shady doings.
I really have enjoyed all of the books that I have read by this author. I think the writing is very engaging, and easy to read and follow. The research is well done, and gives a lot of historical context to the people and places that are discussed in the book. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it for people who are interested in World War II and how people navigated holidays and shady doings.
Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Anne de Courcy for free e-ARC in return of my honest review.
Disclosure; I love Chanel. I love Coco Chanel as a woman and as a designer. She was a brave woman and extremely talented designer. Therefore, my review might be biased.
Chanel's Riviera is about Riviera at the time when Chanel owned La Pausa, right before the WWII. Imagine Great Gatsby's parties with the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Somerset Maugham, Chanel, Gloria Swanson, Joe Kennedy, Nabokov, Colette, and Winston Churchill himself. The book is not about Chanel and her life at Riviera per se, it is more about Riviera itself with her inhabitants at that time, which were quite famous and some still are. I believe it is a very interesting angle to see the history through their eyes but not that many. At times, I felt confused because many people were introduced at once without further follow up.
Basic historical timeline holds its place, however, narrative itself did not feel structured at all. One story comes to another that might be not clearly related. I understand why atrocities in Paris and Vichy collaboration were included, at the same time, it did not really connect with me. If Anne de Courcy followed Chanel to Ritz years (which are slightly mentioned), it would have made sense for me personally.
Also, the speculation about Chanel trying to negotiate peace with Churchill and her German lover out of boredom is utterly ridiculous. One may entertain this thought in a fiction novel, but not non-fiction. I will not deny it, I rolled my eyes reading these pages.
Overall, I liked this book. I was looking for a little bit more of Chanel's life at Riviera, may be if her collections were inspired by this sunny place or more details about her love affairs. However, I would not say I was disappointed.
If you are looking for WWII action, this book is not for you. If you love fashion and magazine gossip, that would be the one to pick up.
Disclosure; I love Chanel. I love Coco Chanel as a woman and as a designer. She was a brave woman and extremely talented designer. Therefore, my review might be biased.
Chanel's Riviera is about Riviera at the time when Chanel owned La Pausa, right before the WWII. Imagine Great Gatsby's parties with the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Somerset Maugham, Chanel, Gloria Swanson, Joe Kennedy, Nabokov, Colette, and Winston Churchill himself. The book is not about Chanel and her life at Riviera per se, it is more about Riviera itself with her inhabitants at that time, which were quite famous and some still are. I believe it is a very interesting angle to see the history through their eyes but not that many. At times, I felt confused because many people were introduced at once without further follow up.
Basic historical timeline holds its place, however, narrative itself did not feel structured at all. One story comes to another that might be not clearly related. I understand why atrocities in Paris and Vichy collaboration were included, at the same time, it did not really connect with me. If Anne de Courcy followed Chanel to Ritz years (which are slightly mentioned), it would have made sense for me personally.
Also, the speculation about Chanel trying to negotiate peace with Churchill and her German lover out of boredom is utterly ridiculous. One may entertain this thought in a fiction novel, but not non-fiction. I will not deny it, I rolled my eyes reading these pages.
Overall, I liked this book. I was looking for a little bit more of Chanel's life at Riviera, may be if her collections were inspired by this sunny place or more details about her love affairs. However, I would not say I was disappointed.
If you are looking for WWII action, this book is not for you. If you love fashion and magazine gossip, that would be the one to pick up.
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
informative
slow-paced
dark
informative
medium-paced
Disjointed, not really about chanel, kind of about the riviera- missing a narrative thread