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Émilienne

A Novel of Belle Époque Paris

Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available

From the bestselling author of The Queen of Paris comes a glittering new novel about youth, beauty, and having the courage to carve your own path in a world on the brink of war.

Pamela Binnings Ewen's newest novel reveals the story of Émilienne, once the most beautiful, sought-after woman in Paris during the Belle Époque, the era of peaceful years just before World War I. As a girl, Émilienne fights her way through poverty in Montmartre, drawn to the lights of Paris below. Soon, she stars at the Folies Bergère, mistress of kings and princes, known as the most beautiful woman in Europe.

But, happiness is elusive, and youth and beauty are fragile. And where is love? As clouds of war begin darkening Europe, Émilienne's young friend, Coco Chanel, has other ideas of how to survive in a man's world. Strong ideas. Now, as Émilienne fights to survive, Coco's star rises.

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    • Library Journal

      February 1, 2023

      This novel from Ewen (The Queen of Paris) dramatizes the real life story of �milienne d'Alen�on, a famous Parisian actress during the late 1800s. Determined to escape her abusive mother and a life of certain poverty, young �milienne eventually becomes a huge star of the Folies Berg�re and a legendary courtesan, dubbed "the most beautiful woman in Paris." After a string of hopeless affairs, and when her career opportunities being to dry up, she finally settles down with the wealthy but married industrialist �tienne. From her life experiences, �milienne offers a young Coco Chanel (a possible rival for �tienne's affections) the benefit of her wisdom. But Coco absorbs this advice in a way �milienne could not have predicted. �milienne ultimately suffers a spectacular fall from grace, along with a changing of the guard, forcing her to watch from the sidelines as her friend Coco emerges from the wings to usher in a new era. Ewen chronicles �milienne's meteoric rise to fame and her grand affairs during a time when courtesans could earn both respect and notoriety. VERDICT A well-researched, fascinating, albeit tragic saga, with a great feel for time and place.--Julie Whiteley

      Copyright 2023 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

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  • English

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