The Queen of Paris: A Novel of Coco Chanel

Going into this book, I already knew quite a bit of the details, as I have loved the House of Chanel since 2005, and have done quite a bit of reading on her personal life as a result. I’m a bit confused as to the reasons why so reviewers would pick up this book by her when they immediately state that a) they do not, and have not, ever contributed financially to the brand. I don’t say it to be snooty, I’m financially comfortable but not wealthy, yet: most people don’t “choose” whether or not to shop Chanel. Considering their iconic flap bag in size medium now retails for about $9400 (before tax), it’s safe to say most people cannot simply drop that kind of money on a bag.Also, I found it annoying how people completely twisted her words and her motivation for agreeing to spy for the Nazis. She did NOT agree to go to Spain to feel out the mood there to simply save #5. Clearly this reviewer forgot what happened. She decided simply that she could not betray France in such a way.But then, the Nazi she kept close company with dropped a bombshell on her: not only did the German military high command know that Andre was her son and not her nephew, but informed her that he was being held as a POW camp, suffering from either a bad case of dysentery or TB, forgot, with very little time left to live - were he to remain in the camp without any real medical cafe. So, her reporting back to her assigned handier on whether Spain seemed likely to ally with Germany, based on the conversations she’d heard, was her only way of freeing her son from a guaranteed death sentence. Makes you look at what she did a bit differently, doesn’t it? And if you say no, then you are simply lying, even if you are not a parent...you have SOMEONE you love you’d do anything for.It’s not as if she were divulging the names of longtime Jewish friends still in the area and in hiding from the Nazis, therefore having blood on her hands. In fact, if not for her, her friend’s Jewish husband would not have been released from the prison camp. He was released because she begged for it. maybe she didn’t always seem that warm, but she certainly took care of the ones she loved.Do people think that her maid, Alice, was in a horrible position to have such a cruel boss? Umm... just the opposite. Because Coco started to see the young girl as family, Alice was one of the very few lucky ones who lived well at that time. Also let’s not forget when the Allies were invading and Alice had no place to go from the Ritz, no family or loved ones anxiously awaiting her return. So what does Coco do? Oh right, she volunteers that Alice can stay with her as long as she needs. Typical of a self absorbed bitch who didn’t care about anyone but herself, right?No, Chanel wasn’t the most loving and maternal-like woman in the world. I suppose I just failed to see what was so wrong with that. She went from an impoverished orphan to always having to rely on men for her livelihood. Then created an couture house/empire of her own, with designs all her own. Why would she or anyone be expected to give that up and go back to having nothing?Women always complain about how men are seen as ambitious and strong when they act like this, yet don’t exactly help their argument for equality when they’re the first to call her selfish (whereas a man would be fighting to protect his life’s greatest accomplishment - same as she was - yet it would be encouraged).I think there’s a serious problem when you begin a book already holding a very clear opinion on the book’s subject. When you already have an extreme bias that this person is unlikable, snobby, manipulative, you’re only going to seek to find evidence that supports your feeling. Which is even more difficult when a lot of what is said is speculative, because Coco was a very private person.With this in mind, why even bother to read the book? I just don’t understand. You don’t like the label or the fashion house, and you can’t stand the woman behind it. Doesn’t sound like a book I would like if I felt the same way. But if you’re at least willing to put aside clear bias and judgment, I’d definitely recommend this book. There is absolutely nothing wrong with Chanel doing what she needed to do to survive, given that she wasn’t sending innocent people to their deaths. She was simply making the best she could out of a horrible situation. I also love that she is assertive, and not afraid to speak her mind. That was so rare back in those times, and we need more women to start thinking like her if we actually expect to have jobs which pay similar to what men make. Women should take a second and learn a thing or two from her.

Chanel seemed to be a rather cold and enigmatic figure, so perhaps it’s simply not possible to make her seem likable.If making her likable or relatable was the author’s intention, she failed.The dialogue was stilted and Chanel alternated between declaring her love for Boy (without ever explaining why) and repeatedly declaring herself a fool.The manufactured reason for her Nazi collaboration was just silly and contrived.I have never understood why so many people gave this selfish, shallow woman a pass for her appalling behavior.She isn’t any more likable as a work of fiction.

Interesting story about Coco Chanel, her early life and her actions during WW2. Told in dual time frames, of which I am not a fan, her early story revolves around her being abandoned by her father, her relationships with men and her ascent in the fashion world. Her choices during WW2 while living in Paris are more than questionable but thought provoking nonetheless. She was a complex woman who single handily changed the course of women’s fashion. It was eye opening to read how she valued and fought for her fashion empire while remaining indifferent towards the war and the tragic effects it had on those around her.

One of the things I loved best about this book is that the author didn't try to make Coco Chanel out to be a perfect person. She told it like it was, while leading us to an understanding of what life events contributed to Coco's decisions. I understand that it is not an exact biography, but that most of the facts are accurate. The author also captured the essence of the world's mood during the war years. As one who loves World War II stories, I found this one delightful.

I enjoyed the World War ll story in Paris. Tough lady. I seem to be reading a lot of WW ll books lately. It gave me a different perspective on how the wealthy and privileged lived . Fraternizing with the enemy and how she fought for her company .