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Top reviews from the United States

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James

Simple, Elegant, Surprising: Everything Chanel

Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2021

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A delightful historical narrative of rags-to-riches and the complexity of love. Although the themes are familiar, the author puts the simple tougher in a way that feels fresh.
There isn’t anything gauche about the way the author presents the story—- it could have easily been overdone but she mirrors the classic style of Chanel on the page well.
The choice I like best: who she chooses as a narrator.

Amazon Customer

Life of struggle, passion, and determination

Reviewed in the United States on January 29, 2021

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The Chanel Sisters, written by Judithe Little, is a historical fiction novel written from the perspective of the youngest Chanel sister, Antoinette. The novel begins in the sisters’ youth, when they lose their mother and are sent away to the orphanage where they learned how to sew. The bond between Antoinette and Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel was portrayed and described throughout. Their life did not start out easy, but was a struggle to survive in a century where women were told who they should be, who to marry, how to act from social status, and being raised in a strict Catholic school convent. Antionette and Gabrielle were very strong willed women who did not give up on each other and supported each other through-out their lives. These two women lived their life the way they wanted, despite what others wanted for them. They wanted more for themselves, their determination, and passion to have a life they could be proud of and to leave a legacy better than they were given.
The author’s telling of the sister’s adventures through their lives was beautifully told. Her use of imagery brought me directly into Antoinette’s life. I felt the love, passion, anger, hopes, dreams, and despair that the two sisters shared with each other and with the other characters in the book. The description of the era’s rules and society’s ethics was movingly depicted by the author. This novel was not about a fashion building industry but how two sisters beat the odds in overcoming society’s expectations of them.
It is a romantic novel that will capture your attention till the end.

Rebecca Rosenberg

MUST READ FOR FASHION FANATICS!

Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2021

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MUST READ FOR FASHION FANATICS! Fascinating insight to Coco Chanel, a fashion icon, from her humble beginnings as an orphan in a convent to the horrific struggles of World War I... all through the viewpoint of her sister Antonietta. I loved seeing where Coco's inspirations came from, for example, using underwear jersey and common rabbit fur. Her determination and drive to design fashion in war time, and opening boutiques wherever the war was not, was inspiring. I delighted in finding out about Coco Chanel through Judithe Little's imaginative and lyrical prose. Loved it!

Anne Sloan

An Exciting New Look at Coco Chanel

Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2021

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The Chanel Sisters is a really good book on several levels. First you have the well-researched social history of Paris at the turn of the century through the wild 20's. Second you have a fascinating look at forces, influences, and personal grit that created Coco Chanel, who was the most innovative French designer of her time. Third, the relationship between the sisters is beautifully told. I loved the story, the sisters climb to the top of the world of fashion world in the exciting City of Light, and excitedly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys well-written historical fiction. Anne Sloan

Browner

Good Chanel History

Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2021

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This book provided a strong history of the background of Coco Chanel and her early life and family. I didn’t really like the style of writing and the voice / outlook of her younger sister, who is telling the story.

Wendy Plane

It Isn't What You Have Hear

Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2021

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This is a very interesting story told from the point of view of Coco Chanel's sister. It is not a story of vindictiveness. It is a story of trying to belong. All of us have felt that way some time. It gives a new perspective on history and fame.

Nancy C

Coco Channel’s sister’s remembrances.

Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2021

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Having read a couple of biographies of Coco Channel it was interesting to read a (historical/fiction) of her amazing rise in the fashion industry from her sister’s point of view. The book is well researched and written.

Jen Griffin

Fascinating

Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2021

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Such an interesting and inspirational read. It was exciting to see how Chanel began and the history I learned along the way was an added bonus.

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Kindle Customer

Breathtakingly Beautiful.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 31, 2021

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What an amazing story of such strong courageous women . This book has been written with such sensitivity its really quite amazing what one can do if they put there body and soul into it, were lead to believe if such poverty and the nuns looking after the sisters seems to have made them stronger in every sense.
Such devoted sisters. I really can't praise this book enough and highly recommend it to all.

Lynn McFarlane

Fantastic characters

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 23, 2021

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Great read, fantastic characters well written- would recommend

Kim Sikorsky

Not that historically accurate

Reviewed in Canada on February 18, 2021

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The writing was adequate. However it did not delve into Coco Chanel’s life after the 1920’s except a brief synopsis at the very end briefly went up to 1971 with her death. I listened to a podcast that delved into her life, the dark side of. She was involved with the Nazi’s in WW II. She lived with a high ranking officer in Paris during this time 20 years her junior. Her Chanel No 5 began in 1921. That’s all that is eluded to in this book. However she went in with a Jewish very rich family who produced this perfume taking 90% and letting Coco Chanel have 10% profits. She was not a good businesswoman with numbers as is referred to in this book. She turned against Jewish people based on this in WWII. The book briefly in the synopsis referred to her nephew that he got freed from the German Nazi Camp but didn’t say how Coco got this done. Her relationship with this Nazi got him freed. I was very disappointed with this book because I heard this podcast beforehand. I think it’s very sad that the truths of this woman’s life is not in this book.

sara

Non solo Coco

Reviewed in Italy on February 21, 2021

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Carino ma non superlativo. Troppo incentrato sulle disgrazie di famiglia e poco su come hanno costruito un impero.

Rose

Slow story line

Reviewed in Australia on February 23, 2021

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I found this book to be interesting in parts but very slow and drawn out.