The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
brooke_review's review against another edition
5.0
Everyone knows the name Coco Chanel, but few know that of her sister Antoinette, perhaps in part because Coco tried to hide her past from public view, fabricating a life that did not exist so that it might be more palatable in the elite circles that she traveled throughout her illustrious career as a prominent haute couture fashion designer. While little is known about Coco's (née Gabrielle) siblings, it is rumored that Antoinette in particular played a large role in encouraging Coco in the early days of her career and assisted her in building her fashion empire.
Judithe Little's novel The Chanel Sisters reimagines the life of Antoinette Chanel, painting in the grey areas that Coco left obscured from view, and bringing to life Coco Chanel's lionhearted youngest sister. While The Chanel Sisters is told from Antoinette's point of view, it chronicles both the girls' lives from their early days in a convent orphanage in Aubazine, to Coco's short-lived career on the stage, and later to the humble beginnings of the Chanel fashion house in Paris. We get a glimpse of the formidable Coco through the eyes of her little sister, while also discovering the likeable, genuine Antoinette for the first time. The result is a historical fiction masterpiece which is an utter delight to read.
I personally was aware of Coco Chanel in name only before reading The Chanel Sisters, so I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know not only the infamous Coco, but also her sister Antoinette in this richly detailed, engaging read. Judithe Little's writing style flows smoothly as she tells the story of the Chanel sisters, and her tale is evenly paced, not going too fast, nor going too slow, giving readers time to get to know the personalities of both Coco and Antoinette and discover how they played a significant role in each other's lives.
I quite enjoyed the sisterly relationship presented in The Chanel Sisters, and appreciated the importance of family that Little suggests played a part in Coco evolving into the powerhouse she later became. The Chanel Sisters is first and foremost the story of a family, with the noise of Chanel fashion, romantic relationships and flings, and WWI all dancing in the periphery. The Chanel Sisters is a vivid portrait of early 20th century France and is an enveloping, satisfying read for lovers of biographical fiction.
Judithe Little's novel The Chanel Sisters reimagines the life of Antoinette Chanel, painting in the grey areas that Coco left obscured from view, and bringing to life Coco Chanel's lionhearted youngest sister. While The Chanel Sisters is told from Antoinette's point of view, it chronicles both the girls' lives from their early days in a convent orphanage in Aubazine, to Coco's short-lived career on the stage, and later to the humble beginnings of the Chanel fashion house in Paris. We get a glimpse of the formidable Coco through the eyes of her little sister, while also discovering the likeable, genuine Antoinette for the first time. The result is a historical fiction masterpiece which is an utter delight to read.
I personally was aware of Coco Chanel in name only before reading The Chanel Sisters, so I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know not only the infamous Coco, but also her sister Antoinette in this richly detailed, engaging read. Judithe Little's writing style flows smoothly as she tells the story of the Chanel sisters, and her tale is evenly paced, not going too fast, nor going too slow, giving readers time to get to know the personalities of both Coco and Antoinette and discover how they played a significant role in each other's lives.
I quite enjoyed the sisterly relationship presented in The Chanel Sisters, and appreciated the importance of family that Little suggests played a part in Coco evolving into the powerhouse she later became. The Chanel Sisters is first and foremost the story of a family, with the noise of Chanel fashion, romantic relationships and flings, and WWI all dancing in the periphery. The Chanel Sisters is a vivid portrait of early 20th century France and is an enveloping, satisfying read for lovers of biographical fiction.
janeycanuck's review against another edition
emotional
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A one-day read! I really enjoyed this totally fictional POV from Coco Chanel‘s younger sister. I was drawn in from the first page and thought it was so well done.
serenasbooks's review against another edition
5.0
this book was romantic and fierce and everything I expected from a book set in the early 900s Paris.
it teleported me into their world; oh to be an emancipated young woman playing polo with donkeys at the, opening and running my own boutique, dressing in the latest fashion clothes walking and partying in the chic bars of Paris!
but more importantly, it was not just escapism. I think the author did a great job researching for this book. I loved each and everyone of the characters, both real and made up; their personalities were distinct from one another and matched perfectly the storyline and the real life choices that the Chanel sisters made.
I loved this book honestly.
it teleported me into their world; oh to be an emancipated young woman playing polo with donkeys at the, opening and running my own boutique, dressing in the latest fashion clothes walking and partying in the chic bars of Paris!
but more importantly, it was not just escapism. I think the author did a great job researching for this book. I loved each and everyone of the characters, both real and made up; their personalities were distinct from one another and matched perfectly the storyline and the real life choices that the Chanel sisters made.
I loved this book honestly.
alaeila's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
popthebutterfly's review against another edition
3.0
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Chanel Sisters
Author: Judithe Little
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommended For...: historical fiction, fashion, Chanel
Publication Date: December 29, 2020
Genre: Historical Fiction
Recommended Age: 16+ (grief, romance, sexual content)
Publisher: Graydon House
Pages: 400
Synopsis: Antoinette and Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel know they’re destined for something better. Abandoned by their family years before, they’ve grown up under the guidance of pious nuns preparing them for simple lives as the wives of tradesmen or shopkeepers. At night, their secret stash of romantic novels and magazine cutouts beneath the floorboards are all they have to keep their dreams of the future alive.
The walls of the convent can’t shield them forever, and when they’re finally of age, the Chanel sisters set out together with a fierce determination to prove themselves worthy to a society that has never accepted them. Their journey propels them out of poverty and to the stylish cafés of Moulins, the dazzling performance halls of Vichy—and to a small hat shop on the rue Cambon in Paris, where a business takes hold and expands to the glamorous French resort towns. But when World War I breaks out, their lives are irrevocably changed, and the sisters must gather the courage to fashion their own places in the world, even if apart from each other.
Review: For the most part I thought the book was pretty good. It felt well researched and I liked the voice of the narrator. I felt the book was well written, the characters well developed, and the world building was solid.
However, I did feel like the book felt more like a nonfiction than a fiction book. The book also glossed over Chanel’s involvement with Nazis and her time in occupied Paris was not mentioned. The author’s note addressed it, but the omission of it felt like hiding a lie. I feel like we do that sometimes with historical figures. We gloss over the bad and honor the good. But no one is without fault. Even Mother Theresa did bad and evil things. If we’re going to talk candidly about someone, we should talk about their whole being and not just the cherry picked parts.
Verdict: It was good, but not a total account.
Book: The Chanel Sisters
Author: Judithe Little
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommended For...: historical fiction, fashion, Chanel
Publication Date: December 29, 2020
Genre: Historical Fiction
Recommended Age: 16+ (grief, romance, sexual content)
Publisher: Graydon House
Pages: 400
Synopsis: Antoinette and Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel know they’re destined for something better. Abandoned by their family years before, they’ve grown up under the guidance of pious nuns preparing them for simple lives as the wives of tradesmen or shopkeepers. At night, their secret stash of romantic novels and magazine cutouts beneath the floorboards are all they have to keep their dreams of the future alive.
The walls of the convent can’t shield them forever, and when they’re finally of age, the Chanel sisters set out together with a fierce determination to prove themselves worthy to a society that has never accepted them. Their journey propels them out of poverty and to the stylish cafés of Moulins, the dazzling performance halls of Vichy—and to a small hat shop on the rue Cambon in Paris, where a business takes hold and expands to the glamorous French resort towns. But when World War I breaks out, their lives are irrevocably changed, and the sisters must gather the courage to fashion their own places in the world, even if apart from each other.
Review: For the most part I thought the book was pretty good. It felt well researched and I liked the voice of the narrator. I felt the book was well written, the characters well developed, and the world building was solid.
However, I did feel like the book felt more like a nonfiction than a fiction book. The book also glossed over Chanel’s involvement with Nazis and her time in occupied Paris was not mentioned. The author’s note addressed it, but the omission of it felt like hiding a lie. I feel like we do that sometimes with historical figures. We gloss over the bad and honor the good. But no one is without fault. Even Mother Theresa did bad and evil things. If we’re going to talk candidly about someone, we should talk about their whole being and not just the cherry picked parts.
Verdict: It was good, but not a total account.
kookie9200's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.
This novel follows Gabrielle and Antoinette Chanel through their childhoods in an orphanage and through their rise to fame in France. Told from the POV of Antoinette, it is a lush, beautiful story of orphaned sisters that rely on one another in order to rise from poverty. Many know the story of Coco Chanel, and who she is, but few know of her early life and her sisters.
I find historical fiction to be incredibly interesting and this book is no exception. It's empowering to see that Coco Chanel and her sister rose from absolute poverty to create a fashion line that is still relevant and powerful today. I loved learning about their lives, even if only through a fictional lens. All in all, a very good book.
This novel follows Gabrielle and Antoinette Chanel through their childhoods in an orphanage and through their rise to fame in France. Told from the POV of Antoinette, it is a lush, beautiful story of orphaned sisters that rely on one another in order to rise from poverty. Many know the story of Coco Chanel, and who she is, but few know of her early life and her sisters.
I find historical fiction to be incredibly interesting and this book is no exception. It's empowering to see that Coco Chanel and her sister rose from absolute poverty to create a fashion line that is still relevant and powerful today. I loved learning about their lives, even if only through a fictional lens. All in all, a very good book.
jlange64's review against another edition
5.0
I'm interested in all things French at the moment due to an upcoming trip to France. This book seemed like the perfect way to gear up for the trip. It was even better than expected! I loved learning about the history of Chanel and the sisters that created the brand. I also find convent life fascinating so reading about their early experiences there was so interesting. And Antionette's love story was just the icing on the cake! Loved it!
kfrey's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5