"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.
