“This novel about Sarah Bernhardt, the iconic French actress, is both a riveting portrait of the artist as a passionate young woman and a luscious historical novel full of period detail.”—Melanie Benjamin, New York Times bestselling author of Mistress of the Ritz and The Aviator’s Wife From her beginnings as the daughter of a courtesan to her extraordinary transformation into the most celebrated … transformation into the most celebrated actress of her era, Sarah Bernhardt is brought to life by an internationally bestselling author praised for his historical novels featuring famous women.
Sarah’s highly dramatic life starts when she returns to Paris after her convent schooling and is confronted by her mother’s demand to follow in the family trade as a courtesan. To escape this fate, Sarah pursues a career onstage at the esteemed Comédie-Française, until her rebellious acting style leads to her scandalous dismissal. Only nineteen years old and unemployed, Sarah is forced to submit to her mother’s wishes. But her seductive ease as a courtesan comes to an abrupt end when she discovers she is pregnant. Unwilling to give up her child, Sarah defies social condemnation and is cast adrift, penniless and alone.
With her striking beauty and innovative performances in a bohemian theater, Sarah catapults to unexpected success; suddenly, audiences clamor to see this controversial young actress. But her world is torn asunder by the brutal 1870 siege of Paris. Sarah refuses to abandon the ravaged city, nursing wounded soldiers and risking her life.
Her return to the Comédie and her tempestuous affair with her leading man plunge Sarah into a fierce quest for independence. Undeterred, she risks everything to become France’s most acclaimed actress, enthralling audiences with her shocking portrayals of female and male characters. Sarah’s daring talent and outrageous London engagement pave her path to worldwide celebrity, with sold-out tours in Europe and America.
Told in her own voice, this is Sarah Bernhardt’s incandescent story—a fascinating, intimate account of a woman whose unrivaled talent and indomitable spirit has enshrined her in history as the Divine Sarah.
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Up until now, I never knew more about Sarah Bernhardt than her name and profession, but I recognized her portrait on the cover at first glance. This was an engrossing novel about an illegitimate daughter of a courtesan who saw her as little more than a liability. Sarah reciprocated her mother’s feelings, and throughout her life their awkward relationship made a huge impact on how she saw—and rebelled against—the world. On occasion, when her financial situation demanded it, she was obliged to follow in her mother’s footsteps, though she was soon to learn how fickle her wealthy suitors could be. And when she chose to keep the inevitable child, she had to raise the boy herself; by now her family included two other bastard sisters as well. It was a struggle, but once she chose her acting career, nothing was going to stop her. Talented enough to get away with breaking all the rules, Sarah took plenty of unorthodox detours that would have proved disastrous for less talented actresses. But due to her beauty and spunk, she was helped along the way by some of France’s great writers, including Victor Hugo and Alexandre Dumas. The establishment looked down their noses at her, but nobody could deny that the audiences loved her. Highly recommended.
Sarah Bernhardt was a woman of fearless strength and awe-inspiring talent, both a living icon in her day and an unapologetic iconoclast. In his beautiful The First Actress, C. W. Gortner gives readers an intimate and rich portrait of Bernhardt’s stunning career and tumultuous personal life. The Divine Sarah was a singular leading lady ahead of her time, winning devotees and breaking rules in order to demand more for artists and for women.
5 stars
This book is another home run for C.W. Gortner!
Disruptive, outrageous and competitive this is the story of Sarah Bernhardt the French acting sensation of the mid- to late 19th Century.
She was born to a seemingly uncaring and volatile courtesan and was farmed out to a foster situation for her first eight years. Sarah never got along with her mother who cared only for appearances and for her favorite of her three daughters.
Sent to a convent boarding school, Sarah was to flourish under the care of a kind hearted nun. She converted to Catholicism and decided to become a nun herself.
Sarah always had a flair for drama. At first, she was to see becoming an actress the same as her mother’s profession – selling oneself. She was a very talented singer and artist, but when she did become interested in acting, she went wholeheartedly into it. She graduated from a prestigious acting school and landed a position acting. Always believing that she knew better than even the director, her quick temper and dramatic gestures got her into trouble.
She ran a small hospital during the Prussian siege of Paris for which she won acclaim. She loved animals and her son Maurice. Her very close friends were friends for life. Her enemies – well…She toured North and South America later in her life. She went to London to perform in front of the Prince of Wales. She had tempestuous affairs. Her life was certainly colorful. She went her own way. She was an early defender of women’s rights – even if she wasn’t aware of it. Sarah was a strong and determined woman. Sarah’s life was punctuated with personal dramas and displays of unthinking action. She was her own worst enemy in that way. But, ultimately, she was divine.
I want to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing – Ballantine/Ballantine for forwarding to me a copy of this most remarkable book for me to read, enjoy and review.
Sarah Bernhardt’s life is an inspiration to all women. She lived her life without compromise or apology, pursuing her dreams against all odds. In a time when women were second-class citizens and yielded little power over their lives, she refused to cower or be subjugated by anyone. She was promiscuous with purpose, driven to succeed by talent and desire, and reached the heights of accomplishment in her field of acting. But how did a half-Jewish daughter of a courtesan achieve her dreams? C.W. Gortner has written a fascinating novel about “The Divine Sarah” that is a wonderful journey through the Belle Epoque period in France and one woman’s determination to live life on her own terms. I enjoyed this book very much and highly recommend it!
Especially loved this because I am a Bernhardt related to Sarah. How real, made me feel part of her life. Fascinating detail that flew off the pages.
Very interesting historical fiction about the early life and rise if Sarah Bernhardt. I had heard of her but was unaware of all she went through, including the invasion of Prussians. It portrays her as not always likable and very impetuous at times. I thoroughly enjoyed reading her story and learned some history along the way.
Well written and fun to read about her life. Even though I understand it is a novel, that’s the way I like to learn about history.
It was a true portrait of Bernhardt but a sad story too.
She withstood by herself with no love and became a loving woman. There’s nothing better than a real story.
I’ve fallen in love with C.W. Gortner! Her historical fiction biographies bring her subjects to life, following closely with reality but in a most enjoyable, entertaining, and very readable format. Keep them coming! I also adored The Confessions of Catherine de Medici.
C. W. Gortner has made his mark illuminating the private lives and untold stories of the world’s greatest women. In The First Actress, he turns his talent to Sarah Bernhardt, the daughter of a Dutch Jewish courtesan who would rise over the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries to become an icon of stage and screen. Readers will revel in the gloriously heady mix of love and war, and art and society. Combining immaculate research with scintillating prose and an unforgettable cast of larger-than-life characters, The First Actress stands tall among Gortner’s remarkable body of work.
This novel about Sarah Bernhardt, the iconic French actress, is both a riveting portrait of the artist as a passionate young woman and a luscious historical novel full of period detail.
Sarah is the bastard daughter of a courtesan. She is raised in a convent and becomes very enamored with acting and from then on…nothing stops her from being the best!
I enjoyed learning how the acting world existed during this time period. Plus, Sarah is such a unique character. However, I am not very fond of her, which is probably why I am not in love with this book. There are a lot of characters which are very “hateable!” The main one is Sarah’s mother. I despised that woman.
After my character murdering, let me say, I did enjoy the history revealed in this novel. It is very well researched, as all of C.W Gortner books are. The story is entertaining and I love learning new stuff!
Just because I did not like the characters does not mean you will not enjoy this story. Grab your copy today!
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
Wow! This book is absolutely incredible and intriguing! As a performer myself, I was immediately drawn to the description of this book, and I am so glad that I wished for it! Whenever I picked up “The First Actress”, I was whisked back in time, and truly feel I got to know so much more about Sarah Bernhardt.
C.W. Gortner is such an amazing author. He has a very special way of bringing the past to life, and you feel like you are right there in the 1800’s. He beautifully and seamlessly blends history and historical fiction. The historical figures he brings to life as his characters were written brilliantly and dramatically, and all of their interactions with one another felt so authentic and real to who they were (no spoilers here, but, I was excited to see some of my favorite novelists and playwrights in and / or mentioned in the book!). Also, I absolutely loved that the book is told from Sarah’s point of view. I feel like this allowed me as the reader to really get inside her head, and understand many of her fears, motivations, and desires. We first meet Sarah as a young girl, and watch her grow up, mature, and pursue her passions and dreams. She went through many ups and downs in her life, and some moments in this book are absolutely heart-wrenching. Others are beyond heart-warming. Sarah truly was an incredible and strong woman, and was very ahead of her time in many ways. I also adored her love of animals.
Furthermore, Mr. Gortner describes the locations and settings so wonderfully vividly, and everything jumps right off of the page. I could envision them all.
If you love historical fiction novels, I highly recommend this book! It is just so good! I could not wait to see what happened chapter after chapter, and found myself reading until very early in the morning to find out what happens next. This novel has made me want to go and do more research on Sarah, this time period, and theatre in the 1800’s. I also really loved what the author included at the end of the book about history, his research, etc.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group—Ballantine for the ARC of this novel, I so enjoyed it. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Sarah Bernhardt tells her own story in C.W. Gortner’s The First Actress. Thoroughly researched, the story gives an inside look at the life and times of the actress who revolutionized theater in France. From the age of five when she goes to Paris to live with her courtesan mother through her triumphal premier at le Theatre de la Renaissance as Marguerite, in La Dame aux Camelias, at the age of 52, the divine Sarah’s life unfolds through her recollections. It was a tumultuous life as the illegitimate daughter of a beautiful Jewish courtesan, but she frequently reinvented herself and fought for what she believed in.
The story of her life, influenced, of course, by her vision of who she was and what was happening around her, makes for a moving read. The author could have delved more deeply into some of the less savory side her life, but maintained the refinement that Sarah herself would have insisted upon. The details about her living arrangements, dress, theatrical relationships all bring the Divine Sarah to life on the page.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. The opinion is my own.
“It does not matter how I am received. I have made my mark. No one can take that away from me. Regardless of what is said tonight, I will always be Sarah Bernhardt.”
Sarah Henriette Bernhardt, born in 1853, died in 1923, had her early life in Brittany, her education in Paris at Catholic school where she was found to have a dramatic flair, sponsored to one of the oldest dramatics program in the world. She never knew her father and was only used by her mother, a demimondaine who had three girls and brought them up to become like her. However, Sarah had other ideas, and fought more than her family to get them.
Living through the Franco-Prussian war matured her. With that maturity she clawed her way up to become one of the first actresses to step beyond the rigid barriers of classic acting; breaking through he third wall. Poetry and plays were written for and about her. She was one of the first to brave the new world of film. She opened doors for women and men, directed a theater in Paris that earned her the Legion of Honor and became loved- and used- and hated all over the world.
My first knowledge of “The Divine One” was, when as a child my sister and I would play dress-up with sunglasses, all the costume jewelry we had, scarves and hats much too big. Then we’d link arms and prance around the yard. My father christened us “Lana Turner-burner and Sarah Heartburn”. Little did he know what those childhood names could recall over 60 years later.
CW Gortner is an author I have followed and trusted since I first read his extant work on Coco Chanel, followed by his biography of Marlene Dietrich, my grandfather’s favorite actress. However, he seems to struggle a bit through this book, akin to Bernhardt when forced into a mold she never fit. His love for biographical style shines as bright as ever. This is what lead me to a 4 star rating. I DO recommend this work, but not as highly as I have his other works. 4/5
[disclaimer: I received this early copy from NetGalley and voluntarily read and reviewed it.]
Full Disclosure: I was given early access to this manuscript in exchange for writing an impartial review. Scheduled publication – May 26, 2020 by Ballantine Books.
I was completely captivated by this novel from the very first page and finished it in 2 days. And honestly, 4.5 stars is probably more accurate than 4.
Often when I read books by male authors creating female protagonists, I find they fall short. But not this one. Much like an earlier Gortner book I read (THE ROMANOV EMPRESS), this author is able to authentically and believably portray strong women characters.
I did not know much about Sarah Bernhardt (1844-1923) before reading the novel, except that she was a famous French actress, was somewhat eccentric, and was likely one of the many mistresses of British King Edward VII. But through the writing skill of C. W. Gortner, I now feel as though I know her well and even understand her. She feels fully fleshed out to me as a person — not some goddess to be worshipped, but a fully human early feminist who is completely fascinating.
The book begins with Sarah’s childhood as the illegitimate daughter of a courtesan, being fostered on a farm in Brittany. At the age of eight, her mother Julie is forced reluctantly to reclaim Sarah and incorporate her into the busy life of an active and successful Parisian courtesan. Not surprisingly it doesn’t go well and Sarah and Julie embark on a contentious relationship that lasts throughout their lives.
I don’t want to spoil your pleasure in discovering Sarah’s story. Establishing her career involves much struggle, with many men who want to control her, other actresses who are jealous of her, and lovers who wish to rein her in. She flaunts many of society’s rules and pays for it. But a brave spirit and fierce desire to live an independent life sustain her through war, hunger, and poverty. Needless to say, it’s a story with plenty of drama, romance, and passion. Populated by writers, actors and artists like Oscar Wilde, Alexandre Dumas, Victor Hugo, Gustave Flaubert, Jean Mounet-Sullyand, and Louise Abbema.
A surprise for me was how interesting it was to learn more about some of the famous historical theatres of Paris –the Comédie-Française, Odéon, Théâtre de la Renaissance, and Théâtre Sarah Bernhardt. How they were different, who they catered to, the ways in which they competed, which was considered more prestigious, how performance material was chosen and parts assigned. And of course, the considerable egos of those who choose a life on the stage.
I have only two major criticisms of the novel. And that was an abrupt 10-year skip in time between the last two chapters and the author choosing to end the story with Sarah’s triumphant return to the Paris stage in 1896, rather than including the final 25+ years of her life. I think mostly this was a reflection of my disappointment, not wanting to let her go. But as the author explains in the AFTERWORD, Sarah’s COMPLETE story would have required an entire second novel.
Highly recommended!
The First Actress by C. W. Gortner is an excellent Historical Fiction of the life and times of Sarah Bernhardt.
I am going to have to confess that I was not familiar with this stunning woman, however I have loved every book by this author that I have ever read, so I knew I had to learn more.
I was beyond impressed with the dialogue, prose, pace, and the amount of research that occurred to create this amazing book. I found out so much about the theatrical history of the mid-late 1800s in France (Paris specifically) and all of the fascinating actors and actresses that played a part. I also learned so much about multiple plays and the atmosphere of the city at this time, as well as the effects that were placed on it and its people during the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-71. I am so impressed with all of the things that the author added to the book that brought so much more new information to me, yet it flowed not as a history lesson, but as an excellent novel.
I most of all loved learning about Sarah. She was a woman well before her time. The traumas, obstacles, prejudices, and difficulties she had to endure just to be able to do what she enjoyed was astounding. She was so many things: creative, unique, passionate, driven, eccentric, intelligent, flawed, stubborn, and above all talented. She seemed to me to be very sad and lonely, searching to fill that unnamed void, yet was surrounded by fellow artists and talents continuously. To not be truly wanted and loved by her (to me a cruel and unkind woman) mother, she spent her whole life trying to find love, acceptance, and acknowledgment. She did find most of it with her success and her close friends, and son towards the end, but I still finished the book feeling sad for her and all she did not have at the end.
While I know this was a difficult time for a woman in general, it is sad to know that at that time to do want she wanted to do, she had to be considered: weird, eccentric, a hussy, and “not natural”. Meanwhile, in a man with the same interests and behaviors, one would be considered: driven, a “bachelor”, and determined. To know that she was judged for that as well, adds another layer of sadness.
I have already started researching even more about this incredible woman, and I truly thank Mr. Gortner for this novel in exposing me to this material and inspiring me to learn so much more! That is the make of a truly successful HF novel. I even loved the author’s note at the end (and I am sorry to hear of the loss of his kitty cat). We both have a true passion for animals and animal rescue, and I appreciate his note even more so for this addition.
A truly amazing 5/5 star read!