The First Actress
A Novel of Sarah Bernhardt
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4.4 • 51 Ratings
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- $12.99
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
“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 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.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Gortner (The Romanov Empress) captures the drama and pathos of legendary actor Sarah Bernhardt's life in this enchanting work. The illegitimate child of a Jewish courtesan, Bernhardt is raised in Brittany until her wet nurse can no longer house her. In 1852, Sarah's mother, Julie, sends her unloved, eight-year-old daughter to boarding school in Versailles. After Sarah's theatrical gifts shine in a school play, one of her mother's longtime patrons helps arrange acting training for her as well as a contract with the august Com die-Fran aise. The school's rigid adherence to tradition clashes with Sarah's questioning approach, and she leaves the Com die in the first of many stormy changes from one theatrical company to the next. Becoming pregnant by Comte mile de K ratry, an aristocratic paying lover, she decides to keep the baby her only child, Maurice despite the social taboo and the comte's rejection. After Bernhardt does heroic work as a volunteer nurse and infirmary manager during the Franco-Prussian War, she becomes one of the most acclaimed actors of her age through a mix of talent, hard work, and savvy self-promotion. Skillful first-person narration evokes Bernhardt's fierce energy and tempestuous liaisons, the vulnerability borne of her wounding childhood, and her struggles against misogyny and anti-Semitism. Gortner does justice to this trailblazing celebrity and her fascinating era.
Customer Reviews
Courtesans, Actresses, Many Famous Characters in 1900s Paris - WONDERFUL!
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!
A Role Model for the Ages
I have read a number of biographies and novels about Sarah Bernhardt, but it’s been a long time since I’ve held one as fine and interesting as this in my hands! CW Gortner is an excellent writer with a wonderful grasp of our language and how to use it! I just hope he keeps writing! I can’t stand poor grammar and I have to say that you won’t find much of that in his novels…..hooray!!!! His tales spin out in lovely fashion, giving a reader real pleasure in the story. This bio of Mlle. Sarah is one I would recommend to anyone! READ THIS NOW! You won’t be sorry!🥰