Books & Java

Mademoiselle Chanel

by C.W. Gortner

Synopsis:

 
Born into rural poverty, Gabrielle Chanel and her siblings are sent to 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 woman 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:

Simply a brilliant example of excellent historical fiction. I enjoyed every page of this wonderful book. Much to my surprise, I did not care for Coco Chanel very much. Beyond her fashion savvy she was a very controversial person. She seemed to have a complicated way of approaching things which may have worked for her in her decisions towards her couturier empire but made a lot of enemies for her in the long run. I had always thought of Coco Chanel as a kind of wild, free-spirited woman who almost seemed to have been born way too early in history for her way of thinking. She endured a very tough childhood after her mother died, her father abandoned her and her siblings and the siblings were then separated. That is enough to lead someone down a not so illustrious life. However, she rose from her misfortune and created an empire that changed the face of fashion by focusing on simplicity and utility; but above all class. 

Her personal relationships were very guarded and she was known among her friends as tough and stubborn. Which from Mr. Gortner's account it seems to have been her greatest weakness. She was very supportive of those who were outcasts due to their lifestyles (primarily artists of all kinds). For herself, she despised the social expectations made of her simply because she happened to be born a woman and not a woman of the aristocracy at that.  She challenged men in business and in her personal life. She did not want to be a mother, a wife nor be reliant on anyone to support her financially nor emotionally. But the times being what they were, it proved to garner her a great deal of criticism from everyone including her closest friends. One cannot ignore her great accomplishments in her industry. I do have a great deal of respect and admiration for her for that. 

Gortner did not create a fictional character in Coco Chanel, he beautifully and eloquently took his research about the controversial Mademoiselle Chanel and created a thoroughly engrossing reading-experience for his readers. It is what every reader hopes for at the beginning of any book.