The Chanel Sisters

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.

I loved this book & had a lot of empathy for Antoinette. It was really interesting to learn more about Coco's beloved sister, thank heavens they had each other during their difficult childhood.

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.

I had taken a break last year from historical fiction, but I am really enjoying it again, mainly due to books like this one. The Chanel Sisters tells the story of Antoinette and Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, and tbh I did not know much about this family other than what Coco Chanel is obviously well known for. This was such a great insight into their backgrounds and upbringing. I learned so much about the culture back then, what it was like to grow up in a convent and how the transition into life afterward went and how they got their start into the clothing business. The audiobook is fantastic, narrated by Saskia Maarleveld, I was captivated from the start and thoroughly enjoyed this until the very end.

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.