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leahtylerthewriter 's review for:
The Queen of Paris: A Novel of Coco Chanel
by Pamela Binnings Ewen
3.5 stars rounded down for goodreads
Historical fiction about Coco Chanel during the 1940s Nazi occupation of Paris and her collaboration with the Germans to regain ownership of her company.
It's interesting reading historical fiction about a historical figure because I do not know what plot points have been embellished or created, having never read a straight up biography about Coco Chanel.
I will say I learned a lot about the character Ewen introduces us to, the woman and how she became who she was: an orphan, a cabaret dancer, the mistress of powerful men, forced to give her child away, founder of an iconic fashion house, and the self-proclaimed queen of Paris.
I was surprised to learn about her involvement with the Nazis. She spied for them and attempted to broker peace with England in exchange for the enforcement of their Jewish ban on owning businesses and property. Her Jewish business partner had fled to America after Germany invaded Poland and taken her N° 5 formula and revenue with him. She wanted her company back.
Dirty dealings Coco! Ewen's Coco is a spoiled and narcissistic survivor who is entirely self-made and did whatever she had to do to achieve her wealth and independence. And like most early-20th century women, her ability to succeed was entirely defined by men.
Documents were declassified in 2010 revealing this collaboration so she effectively got away with it and faced no consequences. Unsettling. Ultimately, I think she was a successful business woman but not a very shrewd human. She kind of flailed in the personal-relationships department and seemed like a pretty lonely individual.
As for the book itself, it could have been condensed and been more compelling, and the end wrapped up a little quick and neat, but otherwise it was an engaging read.
Historical fiction about Coco Chanel during the 1940s Nazi occupation of Paris and her collaboration with the Germans to regain ownership of her company.
It's interesting reading historical fiction about a historical figure because I do not know what plot points have been embellished or created, having never read a straight up biography about Coco Chanel.
I will say I learned a lot about the character Ewen introduces us to, the woman and how she became who she was: an orphan, a cabaret dancer, the mistress of powerful men, forced to give her child away, founder of an iconic fashion house, and the self-proclaimed queen of Paris.
I was surprised to learn about her involvement with the Nazis. She spied for them and attempted to broker peace with England in exchange for the enforcement of their Jewish ban on owning businesses and property. Her Jewish business partner had fled to America after Germany invaded Poland and taken her N° 5 formula and revenue with him. She wanted her company back.
Dirty dealings Coco! Ewen's Coco is a spoiled and narcissistic survivor who is entirely self-made and did whatever she had to do to achieve her wealth and independence. And like most early-20th century women, her ability to succeed was entirely defined by men.
Documents were declassified in 2010 revealing this collaboration so she effectively got away with it and faced no consequences. Unsettling. Ultimately, I think she was a successful business woman but not a very shrewd human. She kind of flailed in the personal-relationships department and seemed like a pretty lonely individual.
As for the book itself, it could have been condensed and been more compelling, and the end wrapped up a little quick and neat, but otherwise it was an engaging read.