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chuskeyreads's review against another edition
3.0
This is not the book to read if you have basically zero knowledge of Coco Chanel; however, this is not to say that you won’t be able to appreciate the lessons proffered by the author.
At first, I was a little annoyed at the author’s quest to buy a Chanel jacket on eBay. But when she purchased the mulberry boucle in Paris (Chanel’s remnants), I finally understood her desire to own a small piece of this remarkable woman’s haute couture.
The last chapter was my favorite - written in the Old Testament style - I laughed up until (appropriately) no. 5. That one really got me.
At first, I was a little annoyed at the author’s quest to buy a Chanel jacket on eBay. But when she purchased the mulberry boucle in Paris (Chanel’s remnants), I finally understood her desire to own a small piece of this remarkable woman’s haute couture.
The last chapter was my favorite - written in the Old Testament style - I laughed up until (appropriately) no. 5. That one really got me.
casspro's review against another edition
2.0
For the most part, I'm on board with Karbo's spin on Chanel. Part biography, part guide to life and a smidge of self help, I can let myself believe that I'm just chic enough follow Chanel's "rules of engagement" while reading. What threw me was Karbo's section on femininity. Specifically, when she declares that any good relationship needs some irrationality. And not just your run-of-the-mill whacky misunderstandings--but plate-throwing, tear-inducing, dramatics-flying irrationality. Karbo even goes so far to say that men expect women to act in such a way and that to act like a rational, stable and (dare I say)mature partner causes men to act suspicious and shifty. Embracing your idiosincracies is one thing--to act like a raging lunatic is another. And to suggest all females must act as such a lunatic in order to seem feminine is a whole other kettle of fish. While Chanel was a bold, outspoken, passionate woman, she was also the Mother Superior of simplicity (in both her fashion and how she lived her life). I doubt that she would approve of such outlandish and complicated behavior and certainly wouldn't condone it as typical and expected of women everywhere.
One bad section isn't enough to ruin the rest of the book for me. Karbo uses Chanel's life and business as a model for the rest of us schlubs to emmulate. Taking advice from Coco on success, money, time, fashion, rivals and beauty can be helpful for those of us who need a little glamour in our day-to-day. Just skim over the femininity section and you'll be in the clear.
One bad section isn't enough to ruin the rest of the book for me. Karbo uses Chanel's life and business as a model for the rest of us schlubs to emmulate. Taking advice from Coco on success, money, time, fashion, rivals and beauty can be helpful for those of us who need a little glamour in our day-to-day. Just skim over the femininity section and you'll be in the clear.
deetour8's review against another edition
2.0
I was hoping for more of a biography, which this was not. It still had some relevant information, but I really didn't want to know about the author's attempts to buy a Chanel jacket.
the_horror_maven's review against another edition
5.0
I love Coco Chanel. She is one of my idols and this book gave a quick history of her life as well as what some of her views were. It's a nice little coffee table read.
karenreads1000s's review against another edition
3.0
Funny book. Not very indepth, but a nice biography summary.
lduran39's review against another edition
2.0
The author's writing was grating for some reason. I don't know if I just didn't like her tone or if I was annoyed that this couldn't seem to figure out what type of book it was. I knew going into this it was fluff, but for some reason even as fluff I couldn't finish it.
emilyjhopk's review against another edition
3.0
Eh. I needed a bit more detail on her life OR on her fashion and clothing, but this skimmed both