This was the first time I've read a book by C.W. Gortner, and it was an enjoyable read. What I found most interesting was a peek into the terribly limited options that women had to make a living during the 19th century. I enjoyed learning about the choices and sacrifices Sarah Bernhardt made.

Bravo! This is one of the best historical fictional books I’ve ever read. It is fresh in its writing, beaming with talent from the author. This is the story of a most celebrated actress Sarah Bernhardt. It tells her story from being the daughter of a courtesan to her covenant school upbringing. To the celebrated one she became in her own right. She is funny, loud, brass and likable. You won’t want it to end. A must read.

As a historical fiction, The First Actress took a deep look at the life of Sarah Bernhardt and her journey to becoming the superstar of her era. Gortner takes on Bernhardt and portrays to the reader her motivations and desire to become more than she was. The end result is a fascinating insight into a pioneer.

"Slow down? Rest? With all eternity before me?"
-Sarah Bernhardt

What to say about the story of a real person's life? Suffice to say Sarah Bernhardt is truly a woman deserving of the recognition, not to mention the author's beautiful work in rendering her on the page.

If you don't know much about Sarah Bernhardt, as I didn't, she was a remarkable woman born in the mid-nineteenth century in France. She was born the illegitimate child of a courtesan and though tied to that life through her mother, Sarah aspires to a life of acting and supporting herself. She was unabashed in advocating for herself, and in hindsight she was one of the first women to push for women's rights before such a movement even existed. If any of this intrigues you, you should just pick up the book, it won't disappoint.

Once again, C.W. Gortner does a brilliant job bringing a historical figure to life through his writing. All of it felt so real (yes, I see the irony,) from Sarah's internal thoughts to the dialogue. It really feels like a window into her life. This time period in France is also fascinating, and one I didn't know terribly much about prior to reading this book. It was such a pleasure to get to see other historical figures, like Alexander Dumas and Oscar Wilde, through this book. It felt like getting to "meet" them in person. I'll read anything C.W. Gortner writes, it feels like an education of world history as well as incredible entertainment.

A huge thank you to C.W. Gortner and Ballentine Books for allowing me to read this through Netgalley.

I was interested in the story of Sarah Bernhardt as I had not read much about her and wow, what a life she led. The family dynamics just between her and her mother, Julie, was a story all on its own. Bernhardt is one of the most intriguing characters I have read about so far in 2020. Even if she was not acquainted with such figures like Oscar Wilde and Alexander Dumas, Bernhardt herself is such a dynamo of defiance, patriotism and loyalty to those she loved (and even to those she didn't), it was hard for me to put this book down. The drama of the stage, the rivalry between her and a childhood friend, her time as a courtesan, her family battles, Gortner brought Bernhardt to vibrancy in an appreciative tone for her paving the way for other actresses.

It is sad to know that several of her movies have been lost, I would have loved to have watched her in action. To be named notre divine, The Incomparable One, to have playwrights write role exclusively for her, all of that had to have been a heady feeling, something that I'm sure many in drama and acting strive for. I do look forward to reading more regarding Bernhardt and possibly even her rival's book/memoir at a later time.

French actress Sarah Bernhardt had a complicated life. She was the oldest child of a courtesan who was not really suited to motherhood. Sarah became an acclaimed actress, part-time courtesan, painter and sculptor. She had many patrons and lovers but never seemed to care about any of them. Her sole marriage is covered briefly in an Afterword to this book. Her devotion to her son and 2 younger sisters was consistent throughout her life. The book also covers the way in which Sarah revolutionized theater with a more naturalistic approach to acting. In addition, she turned a theater in Paris into an infirmary during the Franco-Prussian war.

Unfortunately, the book didn’t succeed in making me care about the details of Sarah’s life. I was most interested in the acting part, but that is really hard to convey in writing. You need to see or at least hear the actor. I also didn’t particularly like Sarah, who was a drama queen both on and off the stage. If I truly wanted to learn about Sarah I’d read a biography, but I don’t feel compelled to seek one out. 3.5 stars

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

Sarah Bernhardt - an actress, theater star, courtesan, humanitarian, single mother, sister, friend. She is one of a kind. A person who played so many different roles on and off the stage.

Sarah has lived a very full life. A daughter of a famous courtesan and wealthy french nobleman, Jewish by birth, Christian by choice. Her adamant and bold attitude lured me into the pages of her life story. From a very early age, young Sarah showed her strong willpower and determination, she set goals and achieved it, and stood up to her oppressors. Sarah was never afraid to take on serious responsibilities, help friends and family in need.

Sarah Bernard built her name using her talent and ambition. Sarah's story is fascinating. A bastard who not only became a famous actress but was able to portray both male and female roles, started in theater proceeded into the film world, and became the highest paying actress of her time. I am very happy that I came across this wonderful novel, thank you NetGalley and Ballentine Books Publisher for a free and advanced copy of the novel and an author for a wonderful life story of Sarah Bernard.

Great book! Sarah Bernhardt was quite a woman - a trailblazer, unapologetic, evoking both agony and ecstasy in her lifestyle. No matter your opinions on this intriguing creature, Gortner paints a riveting portrait of an utterly fascinating woman. Always managing to blur the lines between fact and fiction, Gortner leaves one thirsting to discover more of his selected character. Captivating read as always, Gortner certainly never disappoints, this is another example of his creative talent.

Being a big fan of biographical fiction, I picked up C.W. Gortner's new novel The First Actress for that reason. Knowing nothing about pioneering French actress Sarah Bernhardt, I thought it would be interesting to learn about her life through this novel. While I certainly know more about Sarah, her accomplishments, and her intimate and personal relationships after reading this book, I don't feel particularly inspired or intrigued by her life, mainly due to this novel being more plot-driven than character-driven.

Taking readers through Sarah's early days of abandonment by her courtesan mother, through boarding school at a nunnery, and on to her career as an oft-contested stage actress, Gortner's novel examines power, privilege, discrimination, and ambition to much effect. What The First Actress lacks, however, is a compelling plot. This novel is essentially the same story time and time again - Sarah is not taken seriously as an actress, so she uses her shrewd mind and feminine wiles to get her way. After encountering this plot line repeatedly throughout this novel, I became bored and did not feel driven to engage with this book. There is also much theater talk about the stage productions, but most of this felt periphery, not giving readers much opportunity to connect with the characters and story.

My three story rating for The First Actress is given because this novel is thorough and the subject is intriguing, but the delivery and emotion behind the story was lacking.

The First Actress is an interesting novel written from Sarah Bernhardt’s perspective taking the reader on a journey from the famous actress’s childhood through adulthood. Born the daughter of a courtesan and raised in a convent, Bernhardt’s life is quite an interesting one, especially when you consider the time period. Becoming an actress was considered to be a profession lower than that of a prostitute. But the young woman worked hard and persevered, with many roadblocks along the way.

Written to keep you reading, I found this novel intriguing. A wonderful choice for book clubs or lovers of historical fiction.

Gortner expertly captures the strong, determined, and charismatic Sarah Bernhardt in this excellently researched and engaging work of historical fiction. Sarah Bernhardt was one of the first true celebrities both in Europe and America. A charismatic and intelligent women, she overcame her humble beginnings to forge a life and profession for herself on her own terms during a time when women were subjected to the prejudices and whims of a male dominated society. A great read for fans of historical fiction and women's fiction.

I enjoyed this fictionalized biography of Sarah Bernhardt. I'm going to have to seek out more information about her life.

Interesting book! I knew nothing about Sarah Bernhardt before reading this, and now I'm fascinated by her character and life. I think the book is very well done. I like that there's a lot of information about her early life before you really get to the part of it that made her famous. Not a boring spot in this novel!

With his signature attention to detail and penchant for writing strong female characters, C. W. Gortner returns with THE FIRST ACTRESS, the story of the inimitable Sarah Bernhardt, the world’s first modern actress and international celebrity.

Beginning with her lonely childhood, the novel is made up of six separate “acts,” each discernible by a major shift in Sarah’s life. The unwanted child of a beautiful, but cold, high-class courtesan, Sarah grew up in the farmlands of Brittany, France, under the watchful, if not exactly loving, eyes of Nana Hubert, a farm woman hired by Sarah’s mother to raise her. When we meet Sarah, she is only eight years old and likely can count the number of meetings she has had with her mother on one hand. But her mother has finally come to collect her, pulling her from all she holds dear, and raise her in Paris.

There, Sarah meets her Aunt Rosine, and though she still suffers her mother’s cruel jabs and unconventional lifestyle, she finds some semblance of comfort, especially when Rosine takes her on day trips to explore Paris with all its sights and sounds. But of course, her happiness cannot last, and she soon finds herself unceremoniously en route to a convent boarding school after inciting the ire of one of her mother’s wealthier “clients.” Having been neglected for so long, Sarah finds her first inklings of home in the convent, falling easily into the routines and studies and discovering, perhaps for the first time in her life, a calling: God. Being Jewish, her mother cannot accept this and makes plans to pull her from the convent for what she deems an even greater calling: marrying a wealthy man who will keep the family comfortable.

Desperate to avoid the same career choices and failings as her mother, Sarah finds an escape in the theater. Although naturally talented and uniquely beautiful, she has a rough start for a woman who would come to be known as the first actress. She has a bold, unconventional approach to acting that frustrates and enrages her professors and earns her classmates’ respect as well as their jealousy. Against all odds, she is hired by the famed Comédie-Française, but still cannot find her niche. She is too skinny, too Jewish and, above all, too resistant to the accepted methods of acting. On one terrible night she effectively ends her own career by fighting with a senior actress, and finds herself once again held to her mother’s vicious standards and wishes. With little else to grasp onto, she tries her hand at becoming a courtesan, quickly catching the eye of a wealthy and sensual man --- though he, too, is not all that he appears to be.

Ever the innovator, Sarah manages to make a life for herself despite everything against her: her mother’s hatred, her social class, an unwanted pregnancy, and even her own attitude. But all her determination and creativity can do nothing to protect her when the Siege of Paris occurs, and she finds her life ripped open and torn apart. Though acting can no longer save her, Sarah again turns inward and finds an ability to survive, no matter what, and begins nursing wounded soldiers. As she does, she matures in a way that focuses her stubbornness, amplifies her creativity and allows her to finally stop standing in her own way. Finally, she is able to access her talent for acting and starts taking the steps to becoming the world’s first modern actress. But don’t worry, there are plenty more stops and starts --- and lots of leading lady attitude --- along the way.

C. W. Gortner is a favorite author of mine when it comes to historical fiction. Without making his writing feel detail-heavy or overly absorbed in the history, he is able to completely immerse his readers in the worlds that his characters inhabit. Early on in THE FIRST ACTRESS, Sarah strikes up a casual friendship with Alexandre Dumas, and though he has already penned THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO, Gortner portrays him not as someone who will be remembered as a famous author, but rather as a man of scintillating wit, endless kindness and an innate humanness that makes him leap off the page. Similarly, George Sand is not just a famous writer, but an “intolerable woman in pants” who distracts attendees of the opera with her forward-thinking wardrobe. Though Gortner is comfortable enough with the time period to toss in several well-known names and locations, it never feels like he is name-dropping; instead, it seems as if he is recounting a night he had just last week in Paris. He is that skilled in immersion, detail and characterization.

However, there is not very much in the plot about Sarah’s career in acting or her love for it. Just as in her life, it appears that Gortner sometimes struggles to find her place on the page. She was, by all accounts, a difficult woman, and though he is unflinching in his portrayal of her stubbornness and hard-headedness, I found the plot veering from its original intention at times. Rather than highlighting her path to stardom, Gortner focuses instead on her actual day-to-day life, showing us much more of the woman she was rather than the woman she is now remembered for being. In my eyes, THE FIRST ACTRESS is a much more interesting novel for it, but I can see how other readers might be put off by the contradiction between the plot and the title.

Still, I think even those looking for a biography of the actress rather than a biography of the woman will find themselves absolutely swept away by this lady and her tumultuous existence. Gortner’s account of Sarah Bernhardt’s life is deeply intimate and immersive, his characters richly written and wholly realized. Although this may not be his most historically educational novel, I do believe it is one of his most enjoyable.

Sarah Bernhardt’s life was destined to grab headlines.  The first actress of international acclaim, she drew eyes and plaudits – and controversy and criticism -  wherever she trod the boards.

But Bernhardt’s life was also no picnic. Given to a stranger to be raised, she was the daughter of a high-class courtesan, her biological father aristocratic but distant – and eventually dead. Her mother never wanted her daughter in her life and soon sent her off to a convent boarding school, where Sarah discovered a talent for melodrama - and for acting.  From there, given the option between marriage and acting, she became an actress, first the star of the Comédie-Française, later as a nationally known actress touring the world in triumph.  From life as a single mother (echoing her own mother, with whom she fought bitterly) to a stint as a nurse during the Franco-Prussian War, Sarah did it all during her lifetime.

Sarah’s life was long and storied, so it’s not surprising that Gortner chooses to focus in on her early life, ending the book with Bernhard’s triumphant performance of Alexandre Dumas’ La Dame aux Camélias in 1880.  In concentrating on the climb, however, Gortner completely ignores the back half of Bernhardt’s life. The love of her life and only husband, diplomat-turned-actor-turned-rogue-turned-doomed addict Jacques Damala, only merits notice in the author’s afterword; so does the amputation of Sarah’s leg in 1910. Her silent movie career, too, does not bear mention. This is tragic, because Gortner has a feeling for Bernhardt’s natural flare for melodrama and spitfire personality, and I couldn’t help but imagine what he could have done had he written about her association with Oscar Wilde, (Wilde wrote Salome for her, but sadly, she died before she could perform the role).  Instead all of this is crammed into the author’s notes at the end.

Instead, Gortner focuses in on the boiler plate relationship between Sarah and her mother, one fraught with dislike and betrayal. The problem with that is that Julie, Sarah’s mother, comes off as utterly unlikable and cruel to the point of being unrealistic. Julie was a well-known courtesan with salons in France who was known for her beauty and charm. That we never see a good side to her – that she’s uniformly cold and cruel – does a disservice to her and fails to round her out into a full personality. While any woman who abandons her child to strangers instead of raising her is bound to be an imperfect woman, her every on-page act is wicked and villainous.  She is even written as taking Bernhardt’s child and half-sister to Germany without telling Sarah, leading the actress on a wild goose chase in search of her family – an event that didn’t take place in real life. Thus, Julie remains flat throughout the book.

Other parts of Sarah’s life are, however, well-represented, from her sojourn across war-torn Europe during the Franco-Prussian conflict, to the small domestic dramas that drove her on.  The act of becoming an actress, too, is carefully examined beneath Gortner’s pen. Of particular interest is the controversy which was aroused when Bernhardt chose to portray Hamlet onstage, the first of several cross-dressing performances that both showed her range and outraged the theater world.

The tender capturing of life in convent school for Sarah, too, goes a step beyond, building a community against which the young actress was able to develop.

These moments help buoy The First Actress toward a recommendation. Although it’s not the absolute best representation of Bernhardt’s life, it manages to successfully capture her essence and entertain without getting too soapy about things.

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Another fascinating look at a woman many have probably heard but did not really know much about her, Sarah Bernhardt, the iconic French actress. I was drawn in quickly to the story of her life as as the daughter of a courtesan and enjoyed the story throughout as she became of of the most celebrated actress of her time. I think anyone that enjoys historical fiction about strong women will enjoy this one very much.

Sarah Bernhardt was determined to be famous and the author did a brilliant job of conveying the spoiled and unapologetic sides of this woman that you somehow want to see find happiness and fame as you read. The balancing act of hating and rooting for the Sarah was brilliantly written.

I had never heard of Sarah Bernhardt prior to picking up The First Actress, but based on this book, she seems like a pretty fascinating woman, one of many that defied the expectations of her time, was in the thick of many prominent historical events, and associated with many other prominent historical figures.

While this book is a bit of a slow start, I like that it highlights her humble beginnings as the daughter of a courtesan and the events that lead to her finding better things on her way to becoming a celebrated actress.

But often, with books about historical figures where they lead long eventful lives, the fiction author makes choices of what to focus on, and while I don’t think Gortner was wrong to focus on her trials as she rose to prominence, the afterword featured a lot of notes about her life I would have liked to see dramatized as well, such as her marriage and all the chaos of her husband’s behavior.

I enjoyed this book, in spite of the timeline conundrum. I recommend this to anyone who likes historical fiction about fascinating women throughout history.

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.

Rating: 5 dramatic stars

I am a bit of a Historical Fiction junkie, and this author, C. W. Gortner, is one of my top go-to authors in this genre. Once again, he has written a book that was compelling and full of historical tidbits that I had no idea about before reading this book. This book is about the French stage actress, Sarah Bernhardt (1844-1923). She scrapped her way to the premier actress slot in multiple acting companies by modernizing the way actors presented material to their audiences.

This book encompasses most of Mademoiselle Bernhardt’s life. She certainly led an unconventional life. She followed her own path and fought to change how the moribund classical theater operated in France. She was the daughter of or a Parisian courtesan. She even was a courtesan herself for a time when she was young. Her son Maurice was a product of that time, and in defiance of her mother, she retained custody of Maurice and raised him as a single mother.

One of the things that I learned about in the book was the Siege of Paris (1870-1871). The siege was part of the Franco-Prussian War. The siege by the Prussians decimated Paris and its population. Sarah was instrumental in converting the Odeon Theater (the theater she was starring at before the siege) into a hospital for soldiers wounded in the battles outside the city. This was a very grim time where food and heating shortages were very real. It sounded quite a bit like sieges of other cities, Leningrad for instance, during WWII.

After the siege ended, Sarah continued to forge her own path in the world. She eventually started touring the world, and formed her own theater company. As the book’s Afterword explained, she was always on the cutting edge of technology and was involved in making sound recording, and films as both these forms of communication were emerging. She was a pioneer in so many ways.

It is sometimes hard for me to give works of Historical Fiction a five-star rating. Great writing in this genre does not employ any whiz-bang plot twists, or fantastical visions. I think that those elements can drive up the ratings in other book genres. Good Historical Fiction has to work within the confines of history. It attempts to bring the subject to life within historical strictures. How well the author accomplishes that is the basis for my review ratings for Historical Fiction.

Mr. Gortner nailed it! This was an engaging book in which I learned true historical facts about Sarah Bernhardt, and the era in which she lived. I would heartily recommend this for readers who enjoy Historical Fiction, and for readers who would like to learn more about Paris, and theaters in the mid to late 1800’s.

‘Thank-You’ to NetGalley; the publisher, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books; and the author, C. W. Gortner, for providing a free e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.