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alliegrace27's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
montigneyrules's review against another edition
3.0
#readingchallenge2022 (my book with an 'author's note')
While reading, I enjoyed the immersion into the well-written time period-following the rags to riches story of the Chanel sisters; learning their challenges and struggles
I felt the characters had strong voices and were well-detailed- creating good storytelling- though my woe, at the end of the novel the author’s note relayed the novel was more fiction gap filling- this felt like a major let-down-the aspects of society were accurate, but learning the legacy of the Chanel sisters depicted was heavily heavily fictionalized felt like a small betrayal, as I was entertained but misled-
While reading, I enjoyed the immersion into the well-written time period-following the rags to riches story of the Chanel sisters; learning their challenges and struggles
I felt the characters had strong voices and were well-detailed- creating good storytelling- though my woe, at the end of the novel the author’s note relayed the novel was more fiction gap filling- this felt like a major let-down-the aspects of society were accurate, but learning the legacy of the Chanel sisters depicted was heavily heavily fictionalized felt like a small betrayal, as I was entertained but misled-
celina_loren's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
smalltownbookmom's review
3.0
Kind of reminded me of a French version of the Girls with no names. Two sisters raised in an orphanage grow up to be the famous Chanel sisters. Lots of hardships and missed opportunities with love. Wasn't a feel good story but I appreciated learning more about Paris and France before, during and after WWI. It was amazing that 'Coco' and her sister were able to make such a name for themselves coming from such humble origins.
kdurham2's review against another edition
3.0
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
There is more to the Chanel family than Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel and this book takes the point of view of her younger sister, Antoinette. Chronicling from their younger years into adulthood, the book spans quite a long time and these ladies had quite the life!
I have read quite a few books from Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel's point of view, so I was excited to read a book from a different perspective and see Coco, but also see more of the family and how they became who they did. Although the first few chapters as the story started with them in an orphanage felt as though it moved real slow, once they were out and started to really get into the early years of their business, I really started enjoying the book and felt as though the pacing really picked up.
There is more to the Chanel family than Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel and this book takes the point of view of her younger sister, Antoinette. Chronicling from their younger years into adulthood, the book spans quite a long time and these ladies had quite the life!
I have read quite a few books from Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel's point of view, so I was excited to read a book from a different perspective and see Coco, but also see more of the family and how they became who they did. Although the first few chapters as the story started with them in an orphanage felt as though it moved real slow, once they were out and started to really get into the early years of their business, I really started enjoying the book and felt as though the pacing really picked up.
karenreads1000s's review against another edition
3.0
Written from the perspective of Antoinette, Coco's younger sister, this is a rags to riches story. That with hard work, determination, creativity, and some luck and love your whole world cam change. Their whole goal was "Something Better". More specificity may have helped. Coco lived her life and designed based on what she wanted instead of convention. Antoinette's story is sad. A slave to her sister's dreams and business, unsure whether to follow love until it was nearly to late, making a mistake in marriage, it's unclear what her personality was.
lynda11's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.0
I usually love historical fiction but was disappointed afterwards to find out that there was ALOT of fiction to this.
apuckingbibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
Feels like it’s been a hot minute since I’ve read and read and reviewed a historical fiction, but this one totally reminded me of why I love this genre so much! Heading into this book, I knew next to nothing about Coco Chanel and her rise to the top of fashion. This book, while still fiction, tells her story through the eyes of her younger sister, Antoinette. Through that, you got to see and experience the trials and tribulations of these sisters while also truly appreciating their resiliency. This is like the ultimate rags to riches type of story and I found myself Googling and reading up more about Coco Chanel and her sisters while reading this book the determination to survive and have success was admirable. The story definitely felt more character driven and the relationships both between family and love interests, while complex, is what made the book so special! Oh and this book 100% made me want to go to France, ASAP!
tennisgirl27's review against another edition
4.0
I picked this up from the new release section of my library in actual paper format based on some reviews I had seen online. Overall it’s was enjoyable historical fiction read. I don’t know much about the Chanel sisters in real life history so id don’t know there was a Canadian connection which was cool to learn about. However I have read after the fact that there was a connection btwn the Chanel sisters and the Nazis which wasn’t at all covered in the book. I did find this a bit slow in parts but still liked it a enough to give it a 4/5.