Like Swans of Fifth Avenue and Truman Capote’s Answered Prayers, Richard Kirshenbaum’s Rouge gives readers a rare front row seat into the world of high society and business through the rivalry of two beauty industry icons, by the master marketer and chronicler of the over-moneyed. Rouge is a sexy, glamorous journey into the rivalry of the pioneers of powder, mascara and rouge. This fast-paced … powder, mascara and rouge.
This fast-paced novel examines the lives, loves, and sacrifices of the visionaries who invented the modern cosmetics industry: Josiah Herzenstein, born in a Polish Jewish Shtlel, the entrepreneur who transforms herself into a global style icon and the richest woman in the world, Josephine Herz; Constance Gardiner, her rival, the ultimate society woman who invents the door-to-door business and its female workforce but whose deepest secret threatens everything; CeeCee Lopez, the bi-racial beauty and founder of the first African American woman’s hair relaxer business, who overcomes prejudice and heartbreak to become her community’s first female millionaire. The cast of characters is rounded out by Mickey Heron, a dashing, sexy ladies’ man whose cosmetics business is founded in a Hollywood brothel. All are bound in a struggle to be number one, doing anything to get there…including murder.
more
Sexy, spellbinding and au courant, relax into your hammock, grab a cocktail and dive into the ultimate beach read. Revel in the glitz, greed and glamour of the players in the high stakes world of the beauty business as they out con their way to the top. Written with the ultimate literary gimlet eye by Manhattan’s astute social observer, and crafted with suspense and humor, this explosive tale of love, beauty and ambition is sealed with a kiss. Loved it.
I had eagerly anticipated the release of Rouge. The premise is intriguing and I had high hopes of reading about strong, powerful, competitive women breaking barriers in an era where women were shrugged off and not thought to have the competence to run a company. What I got was a novel full of superficiality, backstabbing, spitefulness, and gender and sexuality issues that made me incredibly uncomfortable. I hoped for more character depth and something that I couldn’t quite put my finger on, but some part of this story fell flat for me and left me disappointed.
I could tell that this novel was well researched and the subject is still fascinating but sadly I am in the minority and did not care for this novel at all.
*I have reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley. All opinions are completely honest, and my own.
As most of you know if you follow my reviews, I LOVE a strong female character. This novel if FULL of them. Josephine, Constance and CeeCee are unstoppable. They are determined to overcome anything and everything to be on the top!
There are so many parts to this novel! This history of the cosmetics industry, the millionaires, the rivalries….which can lead to murder. Everyone is striving to be number one…makes no difference who gets in the way!
Intriguing….all the way through. I enjoy a book which has me researching. I was looking up all the characters in this book! This a fast paced novel not to be missed! Grab yours today!
A big Thank You to St. Martins and NetGalley for a complimentary copy!
All opinions expressed are my own.
*REVIEW*
Makeup is an essential tool for nearly every woman I know. How did it become so indispensable? Rogue tells the story of the women behind the rise of beauty in a compact and a tube. Josephine Herz and Constance Gardiner (Helena Rubenstein and Elizabeth Arden) are the two driven moguls who sit at the helms of their companies. Their stories are told from the 1920’s through the course of their lives. Both were of a singular mindset: make it to the top, and remain there, at any cost. Truly, it’s amazing what they did for success and fame. I admire and despise them simultaneously. Diligently each woman worked in a time when women just didn’t do what they were doing. It’s like they did it for spite, to fling in the face of the naysayers and critics. I do appreciate this fighting spirit, but the methods of achievement leave me speechless and befuddled to say the least. The sprinkling of insider industry tidbits about the entire process was fascinating and informative. Turns out, I’m clueless! But, against the glamorous landscape of the 30’s and 40’s, what woman wouldn’t want an exorbitant amount of fortune and fame? They were wondrous females with illustrious careers in a man’s world. I hope that, in some ways, they were regarded as fine examples of success by the women of the time. This story is vivid and remarkable with an exhaustive pace that leaves you wanting more. The characterizations of these deviously fabulous women makes me wonder if the author had close contact with them or was granted all access? It’s that impressive, by a man, nonetheless! It’s obviously well researched and carefully constructed for maximum impact on the reader. I’m a fan of historical fiction, and this account is unlike anything I have ever read. It’s super unique and refreshing with unforgettable characters. I will never look at makeup in the same manner. Neither will you after you read this gem. Don’t miss this book!
Rouge is the intriguing and often catty story of Josephine and Constance and their rise in the beauty industry. Mirroring the real life feud of Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubenstein, Rouge has a bit of glamour, behind the scenes gossip, power struggles and sex! Loved it!
Richard Kirshenbaum is the love child of Dominick Dunne and Jacqueline Susann and Rouge is as rich, vicious, and vivid as it gets.
I’m not typically a historical fiction fan, but the synopsis of Rouge sounded so good that I just had to read it. I was not disappointed because the book more than lived up to the synopsis!
The primary characters, Josiah and Constance, were definitely strong women who followed their dreams to build an empire. They each went about it the same – hard work and research – but that is really where the comparison ends.
The descriptions were lush, the characters very real and interesting and the plot of the book was one that pulled me in from the first chapter. The whole funeral scene was absolutely out of this world.
If you’re a historical fiction fan, or a fan of strong women and family / business sagas, this is for you. It reminded me a LOT of Barbara Taylor Bradford’s A Woman of Substance. You have the sweeping sage covering many years and the very determined, strong woman who anchors the book.
Rouge is well worth a read. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an ARC at my request. My thoughts in this review are my own and freely given.
Lindas Book Obsession Reviews “Rouge A Novel of Beauty and Rivalry” by Richard Kirshenbaum, St. Martins Press, June 25, 2019
Richard Kirshenbaum, Author of “Rouge A Novel of Beauty and Rivalry” has written an intriguing, intense, emotional and captivating novel. The Genres for this Novel are Fiction, Women’s Fiction, with a splash of Suspense. The timeline of the story progresses over the years. The author discusses the earliest cosmetic industry, and how it progresses. The characters are described as complex, complicated, aggressive, obsessed, dysfunctional, greedy and quirky.
Beauty and wealth seem to be always in demand. In this novel, Josephine Herz and Constance Gardiner (both names have been changed) become competitors in the game of beauty and money. One has a door to door beauty business, and one establishes exclusive salons. There are dark secrets, formulas, spies, and even death. This is not a business for the weak of heart.
There are other characters involved in this business as well. The goal is to be the most famous, the wealthiest and to get the patent for the formula first. After all, women want to look their best, no matter what the cost. (and men as well ) I recommend this novel for those readers who enjoy a suspenseful and intriguing read.