A disappointing novelization of Coco Chanel's life with cursory descriptions of the clothes and rather uninspired writing overall. Mlle. Chanel's life and times were so extraordinary, that it's unclear why the author chose to create a historical fiction of it, much less so poorly. It rather felt like a wikipedia article with created dialogue. It's also not clear that Gortner added anything to the historiography in either speculation or research-- so perhaps reading a non-fiction work about her and/or her career might serve better for those interested. ( )

Very interesting life she lead ( )

Beautiful story ( )

In the spirit of full disclosure, my opinion may be (probably is; okay, definitely is) affected by my utter contempt for the actions of this Nazi whore before and during WWII. At the same time, I grudgingly admire her talents as a designer and the way she refused to be held back by the limitations of her circumstances early in life.

That being said, I'll try to keep my review focused on the writing of this book. I am a C.W. Gortner fan. He is an excellent author who usually tries to show the good and the bad in his subjects, using meticulous research to create a 'can't put down' book. This particular book, however, didn't strike me as his best. It seemed to me that he was a little too enamored of Chanel, a little too 'yes she was a Nazi collaborator, but look at the pretty dresses!'.

Mr. Gortner does much better when he stays away from the 20th century. (His book about Marlene Dietrich wasn't particularly good, either.) Maybe he needs a few hundred years between him and his MC for clarity. ( )

Gabrielle Chanel was the daughter of a laundress and of a man who deserted his young children when his wife died. The remainder of Chanel's childhood was spent in an orphanage where the nuns recognized her usual talent with a needle. It was her first lover that took her to Paris where her skill, ambition, and independence lead her to becoming Coco, an internationally known couture who still influences design almost fifty years after her death.

G. W. Gortner knows the fashion industry, having worked in all levels of it before becoming a fulltime writer. The Chanel story he tells (1895 - 1954) is well researched and reveals a complex and independent woman who was not always likeable. In some ways it is a cautionary tale because while Coco achieved a dizzying level of success, she also suffered from questionable decisions, sadness and loss.

This is the second book I've read by Gortner, he has written six others, and I'm surprised he's not better known. He writes very well in a woman's voice and I look forward to reading more by him. ( )