The Chanel Sisters

A Novel

By: Judithe Little

Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld

A USA Today and Globe and Mail bestseller!

A novel of survival, love, loss, triumph—and the sisters who changed fashion forever

Antoinette and Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel know they’re destined for something better. Abandoned by their family at a young age, they’ve grown up under the guidance of nuns preparing them for simple lives as the wives of tradesmen or shopkeepers. At night, their secret stash of romantic novels and magazine cutouts beneath the floorboards are all they have to keep their dreams of the future alive.

The walls of the convent can’t shield them forever, and when they’re finally of age, the Chanel sisters set out together with a fierce determination to prove themselves worthy to a society that has never accepted them. Their journey propels them out of poverty and to the stylish cafés of Moulins, the dazzling performance halls of Vichy—and to a small hat shop on the rue Cambon in Paris, where a boutique business takes hold and expands to the glamorous French resort towns.

But the sisters’ lives are again thrown into turmoil when World War I breaks out, forcing them to make irrevocable choices, and they’ll have to gather the courage to fashion their own places in the world, even if apart from each other.

“The Chanel Sisters explores with care the timeless need for belonging, purpose, and love, and the heart’s relentless pursuit of these despite daunting odds. Beautifully told to the last page.” —Susan Meissner, bestselling author of The Last Year of the War

Engaging

I was so enjoying this book. Getting a glimpse into the life of Coco Chanel. Spoiler it just ends.

Coco and Her Sisters

I loved reading this book or actually listening to this book. I could never afford any Chanel except for some of their make up and skin care. I have always been very intrigued by Chanel.

Finding out about the Chanel sisters gave me so much insight into them.

I had no idea of their struggles. I am glad to know of their history and their life and their loves.

This book meant a lot to me. The narration was excellent, the author was excellent. It was just all good I am very grateful to have gotten to listen to this thank you.

The author wrote a beautiful book. In addition I think I will listen to anything that Saskia Maarleveld narrates. I just looked so forward to hearing her voice and getting into the characters that she portrays. It is a gift!

AnnieB

Well, she never got into Coco very much is mostly about your sister

Very disappointing because I was hoping to hear about both sisters thoroughly. She just skimmed on Coco and it was more about the one sister and her love desires and then it just ended like just like that you have no idea what happens next did she die? did she go off to Buenos Aires? What happened to her, and then, as far as Coco goes, she didn’t get into anything about the Nazi stuff or who she helped or nothing. There was absolutely nothing just about how she designed hats. It was entertaining the narration was OK. I like that narrator but not for this story.
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Did not like the narration

I could not get into the audio book because the narrator’s French pronunciations was very distracting. I finally went and bought the paper book and was able to enjoy the book by reading it myself.

This was an 'ok' story.

I wish this book was more about Coco Chanel and her later years, how she ran her successful business.