Author C.W. Gortner
on Tour March 20-April 8, 2015 with
Mademoiselle Chanel
(historical fiction)
Release date: March 17, 2015
at William-Morrow/HarperCollins
384 pages
ISBN: 978-0062356406
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SYNOPSIS
For readers of ?The Paris Wife? and ?Z? comes this vivid novel full of drama, passion, tragedy, and beauty that stunningly imagines the life of iconic fashion designer Coco Chanel?the ambitious, gifted laundrywoman?s daughter who revolutionized fashion, built an international empire, and became one of the most influential and controversial figures of the twentieth century. Born into rural poverty, Gabrielle Chanel and her siblings are sent to an orphanage after their mother?s death. The sisters nurture Gabrielle?s exceptional sewing skills, a talent that will propel the willful young woman into a life far removed from the drudgery of her childhood. Transforming herself into Coco?a seamstress and sometime torch singer?the petite brunette burns with ambition, an incandescence that draws a wealthy gentleman who will become the love of her life. She immerses herself in his world of money and luxury, discovering a freedom that sparks her creativity. But it is only when her lover takes her to Paris that Coco discovers her destiny. Rejecting the frilly, corseted silhouette of the past, her sleek, minimalist styles reflect the youthful ease and confidence of the 1920s modern woman. As Coco?s reputation spreads, her couturier business explodes, taking her into rarefied society circles and bohemian salons. But her fame and fortune cannot save her from heartbreak as the years pass. And when Paris falls to the Nazis, Coco is forced to make choices that will haunt her. An enthralling novel of an extraordinary designer who created the life she desired, Mademoiselle Chanel explores the inner world of a woman of staggering ambition whose strength, passion and artistic vision would become her trademark.My Review:
I had recently read a biography about Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel so the timing of this tour was perfect for me and I was excited to begin. I love historical fiction and what better to read a book about the mysterious and groundbreaking Coco. Since I had recently read that biography I was up on my Coco facts and Gortner hit them perfectly but also did a fantastic job of making the story flow and Coco come alive. I can see her as a little girl desperate to believe in her father or as a woman determined to make a success of her business and stop having to turn to others for support. Not only did Gortner make Coco come alive but he made her wonderfully and realistically multi-faceted. Coco is very rarely likable but she is always fascinating and inspiring. She is stubborn and determined and doesn't always make the best decisions. She is truly groundbreaking in terms of her ideas on women's fashion and it's such fun to watch her start to claw her way to success. There was a moment in the book that was definitely a light bulb moment for me. Coco is standing in the doorway of her store with an employee and watching several women walk past who are wearing her designs and they look at her and nod in acknowledgement which causes great shock. Before Coco, the great designers (and we're talking Worth here so seriously great!) were not acknowledged. Their clothes were worn but the men were not celebrities accepted into upper circles. But because Coco was a woman in a way it leveled the playing field of society. Not only was she dressing them but she was as stylish as them. They were coming to her for help which made her their equal in a way she could never have been if she had been a male. Gortner explains it much more neatly but I found the whole concept fascinating. Even if you don't have any interest in fashion Mademoiselle Chanel is a book worth reading and Coco is a woman worth getting to know.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
C.W. Gortner is the international bestselling author of six historical novels,
translated in over twenty-five languages to date.
His new novel, ?Mademoiselle Chanel?,
traces the tumultuous rise to fame of iconic fashion designer,
Coco Chanel.
In 2016, Random House will publish his eighth novel, ?Vatican Princess?,
about Lucrezia Borgia.
Raised in Spain and a long-time resident of the Bay Area,
C.W. is also dedicated to companion animal rescue from overcrowded shelters.
Visit his website. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter
Subscribe to his newsletter
Buy the book: HarperCollins | IndieBound | Amazon | Barnes & Noble
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You can enter the giveaway here or on the book blogs participating in this tour.
Be sure to follow each participant on Twitter/Facebook,
they are listed in the entry form below.
Entry-Form
Visit each blogger on the tour: tweeting about the giveaway everyday of the Tour will give you 5 extra entries each time! [just follow the directions on the entry-form] 6 winners Open to US only: 5 printed copies + 1 beautiful, handcrafted beaded bracelet inspired by Coco?s black-and-white signature colors and camellia design
CLICK ON THE BANNER TO READ OTHER REVIEWS, EXCERPTS, GUEST-POST AND INTERVIEW
thanks for your very nice words on this book. And your review is based on serious background as you had just read a biography. Really neat to be able to see how a writer works with facts to make a historical novel. Emma at fBT
ReplyDeleteI was very impressed with how accurate this was while still being an engaging and fascinating read.
DeleteThank you so much for your thoughtful review. I'm truly thrilled and hope your readers enjoy the book!
ReplyDeleteThank you for providing me with such an entertaining few evenings!
DeleteI just posted my review of this book too for TLC Book Tours :). I am really enjoying it! I keep having to remind myself this is fiction and it made me curious how much of it is true. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI was impressed with how accurate this was while still being an entertaining read. I'm glad you're enjoying it as well!
DeleteI really enjoyed the review for this - the fact that she was acknowledged as a designer says a lot about who she was as an artist and as a woman - I like the fact that she wanted women to have both beautiful and functional clothing - that she was willing to "borrow" from men's clothing designs to for comfort and functionality.,
ReplyDeleteWhile I of course knew of Chanel and can recognize her style but didn't truly realize just how ground breaking she was. Thank you so much! I truly enjoyed the read.
DeleteThat's wonderful that the author did such a good job with Chanel's story, biographies can be a real challenge.
ReplyDeleteThis wasn't a biography but it might as well have been for as accurate it was. It was an interesting read !
DeleteOh that is good timing. That's awesome he got so many bits accurate but still made a story of it. Glad you enjoyed it so much Katherine!
ReplyDeleteMaybe she also became known at the right time period for that :) It's funny how I don't know that much about her - to me, she's always been the one who designed those "tailleurs" that everybody thinks are classy but I find terribly old-fashioned and stuck-up. I should read that book and finally learn something !
ReplyDeleteGreat giveaway on such a good book. I like biographies and combining a French theme would make my day! Great review, Katherine.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a book I'd enjoy! Thanks for the review, Katherine.
ReplyDeleteChanel sounds like a fascinating person, whether in real life or in this fictionalized form. I'm glad you enjoyed the book, and the fact that you had recently read a biography must have enhanced that enjoyment.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Coco Chanel has always been an inspiring person to me, being the first one to say, "women can wear pants too!" :D
ReplyDeleteI love the cover, so classy. It really fits the book's theme well.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a good book. While I can't afford Chanel, she looks like a fascinating woman to read about. I submitted a few entries.
ReplyDelete