*received this ebook in exchange for an honest review*
This was fabulous. Mr. Gortner has a way with little known about women and Sarah Bernhardt was not an exception. I had never even heard of her before reading this book and now I can't wait to find out more about her

*3 1/2 stars* I had never heard of Sarah Bernhardt, who is considered the first international celebrity. The primary setting of this novel took place in France in the 1800's. It was very well researched and presented in a first person narrative, which is something I prefer in novels featuring a historical figure. I was able to get a very broad sense of who Sarah was, rather than a detailed and descriptive account of her time and place, which was surprising due to the novel's length. I found her fascinating, but not all together likable. Interesting, eccentric, and ahead of her times, Sarah (who was of Jewish dissent), was a force to be reckoned with in the world of stage acting. If you have any interest in the world's first modern actress, I would recommend.
~Thank you to NetGalley and publisher~

I absolutely love that this was written in first person, something that isn't easily done by everyone. The pacing was perfect and the author stayed true to the real life facts of her life without being boring or throwing facts at the reader.

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.

Author C. W. Gortner whose novels included strong female characters, some who are well know, Coco Chanel, others like the current highly fictionalized woman of the title First Actress.
Sarah Bernhardt is a name that has long been forgotten in the general public mind. Yet she was the most famous personality of her generation. Born in France in 1844 an illegitimate child of Judith Bernard.
There are a great many flaws with this first person account of Sarah Bernhardt life. The first of which is the overall structure of the story which goes from tragedy to triumph with in a few pages this theme continues throughout the entire narrative of the story always repetitive theme of this never ending mismanaged of a narrative of which never seems to get on track.
The other problem with the story is a whole swarth of lack of a descriptive narrative. The reader is told never shown. A few examples of which I could've filled pages longer than the book. Sarah Bernhardt is at the boarding school. The reader doesn't know what the school looked like, what the nuns wore, what the Monsignor is wearing when Sarah kiss the ring on the finger on the Monsignor. Apparently in the eyes of the author the ring must have thing the Monsignor had on. A few words could have put the visual aspect of the story in the readers mind. Sarah Bernhardt is constantly wearing costumes. Does the reader know what the costumes look like? No. The author never tells the reader. Nor does the reader know what Paris looks like, or the theater. One point the author says that Sarah is wearing a robe of Zachariah. Is the robe black, red, orange, purple. Does the robe have large blue dots or horizontal stripes. The reader has no idea.
Another problem early on in the story is several times the author will insert a sentence in which leaves the reader wondering when. Sarah Bernhardt meets Alexander Dumas and Sarah mentions that she has read Dumas novel. Her sister says that Sarah reads all the time. The author could have easily inserted a book in Sarah's hand earlier in the story when she was out with the dog. Another part is when on page 67 Morny says to the lawyer," she has a temper. I've experienced it myself. ". The reader this early in the story has never read any part where Sarah display any sort of temper.
The we come to the way the author presents Sarah Bernhardt. A character who is self centered, egotistical and is in her own little world. Part in the story where her sister is dying and she is visibly upset but then the very next thing we read is a scene in which Sarah is having sex. This sexual interlude has been going on for a while. That is the problem with the character of which the author created. Her lows do not go low enough in the entire story. Bouncing back to quickly. When a good person comes along, as in the case of the American, Sarah ignores him because she wants to do her own thing in her own little world and doesn't care if she hurts someone or her reputation. There is way to many scenes in which her self absorbed ego clashes with someone else's self absorbed ego.

C.W. Gortner knows his women! I always say that! It's true! I just don't know what else to say. He does exquisite research on them, and he learns about them. That's why you can always trust one of his books!
Never pass on a C.W. book! He always writes the best of the best. You will definitely learn something new.
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley. Many thanks!

This book regales us with the story of Sarah Bernhardt's life from the time she was a young girl until her death. Told in her own voice, the picture painted feels so vivid I felt as if I were there beside herwatching it all unfold. I was for the most part unfamiliar with her story, and I found this book fascinating. There was very little Sarah didn't do in the realm of the art world. She had so much talent, and an abundance of artistic temperament to go along with it. She was friends with people like Alexandre Dumas and Oscar Wilde. She had a huge love for animals and had a wide menagerie roaming her home. She never knew her father and never felt love from her mother, so when she became a mother herself she was determined to become the mother she always wished she had had. This was an unforgettable book about a fascinating woman. If you love historical fiction, then you will definitely want to read this.

C W Gortner did an amazing performance with this book. Sarah Bernhardt became real to us. Sarah started her career as a French actress and eventually performing on stages throughout the world. Her mother, Julie, did not have a close relationship with Sarah and put her in a boarding school until graduation. This is where Sarah learned her joy of being an actress.
#netgalley #TheFirstActress

Read if you: Want a vivid and immersive reading experience about one of the first great modern actresses in the Western world.

I love historical fiction. I take the genre seriously. "Info dumping," no list of consulted resources, and no afterword/author's note makes me cranky. Luckily, C.W. Gortner skillfully creates the early career and fame of Sarah Bernhardt without making the characters parrot facts to another character (that the other character would be well aware of!), balances creative license with sticking what we know of Bernhardt's life, AND includes an interesting author's note that further discusses her life and career. AND...it's a fantastic read.

Librarians and booksellers: Even if Sarah Bernhardt is unfamiliar to your patrons/customers (likely for most of them), your historical fiction aficionados will love this.

Many thanks to Random House/Ballantine and NetGalley for a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.

I love C.W. Gortner, his novels never disappoint and this one is no exception. Sarah Bernhardt, a French actress born in the mid 1800’s, was way ahead of her time. She was a woman who knew her own mind and flaunted convention to get it. She was strong and opinionated and did what she had to do to feed her household.

With his unique story telling style, the author keeps the story moving at breakneck speed. C. W. has a matchless technique of divulging the tale, with his character’s voice that allows the reader to feel part of the story.

As with all his novels, this is great historical fiction about a female figure in history. Ms. Bernhardt is brought to life and made real, thru C. W. Gortner's story telling ability. Once you read this book, you will be hooked on Gortner’s books and style.

While I’ve heard of Sarah, I really knew nothing about her. This book brings her to reality as a woman well ahead of her time. The descriptions of her life and places it took place are vivid. All in all a well researched and enjoyable historical fiction read.

Sarah, the daughter of a courtesan, feel very much unwanted and unloved. Her mother sends her away to a convent, unsure what to do with her daughter. Once she graduates, her mother tries to marry her off, but Sarah has a different idea. Instead, she wants to become an actress. Rebelling against the system, she wants to act her way, which gets her into trouble time after time.

Sarah was a very engaging and likeable character. She was realistic, flaws and all! The dynamic between Sarah and her mother felt relatable, and will resonate with many people. The book was well paced and engaging. Overall, well worth reading!

this was a lot of fun to read, I enjoyed the time period in the book and enjoyed the way C. W, Gortner wrote.

Sarah Bernhardt was the first actress and the first true diva. Her mother was a demi monde who did not take at all to the role of mother. After taking her from a rural life in Brittany, she enrolls Sarah in a private Catholic school financed by her unknown father. It is here that Sarah first experiences her theatrical yearnings. Sarah could never connect with her mother who gives her the option of marriage or a demi monde, like herself. But Sarah is drawn to the theater.

Sarah’s rise in the theater include references to French plays, petty quarrels within the acting circle, and writers of that day. Her life in and out of the theater is filled with drama and emotional decisions. Many of Sarah’s choices compound the precariousness of achieving her goals. But she manages to use her drive, tenacity and ego to create more opportunities where none seemed possible.

Gortner showcases Sarah’s acting chops in making theater more realistic and focused on developing her craft. He follows her rise (and setbacks) to show her as a patron of the arts, a French patriot, advocate for religious tolerance, a frequent lover and feminist. The book ends with her triumph in England, with many years of accomplishments still ahead. These are quickly wrapped up in an epilog….which may have made even a longer or second book (act). Recommended to those who like 19th c French history and the development of the art of acting. Sarah does not disappoint.

I enjoyed this book, chronicling the life of Sarah Bernhardt. Set mostly in France, this novel tells the story of Sarah's childhood as the daughter of a courtesan and early life as an aspiring and rebellious actress. The story continues on through her early career and up until her fame in America.

While the book was extremely well researched and well written, it was just too long for my tastes. I would have liked to have skipped over the sections on Sarah's career in mid life and wanted to know more about her later life and early work in films. Her tours of America at the turn of the twentieth century would have made for fascinating reading, especially in contrast with her early life. However, the latter part of her life was not covered at all in this book.

Nonetheless, I enjoyed the book very much, and highly recommend it.

This author is one of my favorite authors of historical fiction. He generally writes books about beautiful, strong and fascinating women of historical note. He has had written wonderful books about Juana, Isabella, Catherine, Coco, Marlene and now he has written a lovely book about Sarah Berhardt. Sarah Berhardt, the most famous actress of her time. Someone I had heard of but knew nothing about. Sarah, who was not only a world renowned actress but a painter, sculptor, writer, courtesan and war time nurse.
The book covers Sarah's life from her childhood in Brittany, years at a convent school outside of Paris to her education at the theatrical school in Paris, dysfunctional hone life and troubled relationship with her mother. Throughout Sarah's life most people recognize her genius artistic talents but her mercurial personality and hot temper sabotages so many opportunities. Sarah lived life to the fullest and this book captured many of the highlights without being boring. The book also has a bibliography if you wish to read more about Sarah Bernhardt. I was very lucky to receive this book from Netgalley in exchange for a review.

THE FIRST ACTRESS
Author C.W. Gortner
(This review is from an arc sent to me from Netgalley)
C.W Gortner captures the portrait of Sarah Bernhardt from her beginnings as the daughter of a courtesan to her extraordinary rise to the most celebrated actor of the time. Sarah was schooled in a convent and when she returned to Paris, her mother expected her to carry on in the tradition of her mother as a courtesan. Sarah pursued her career instead of at the Comedie- Francaise; however, her rebellious acting style led to her dismissal. At nineteen years, old and unemployed she is forced to become a courtesan. This ‘career’ ended abruptly when she finds that she is pregnant.
She refuses to give up the child and she is penniless and becomes an outcast. However, this did not last long. She became a volunteer nurse and infirmary manager during the Franco-Prussian war. She then returns to the Bohemian theatre and became a success with audiences fulling the theatre to see this controversial actress. She returns to the Comedie-Francaise portraying both male and female characters.
Her London engagement paved the way to becoming a worldwide celebrity in Europe and America and she had sold-out tours. C.W Gortner gives us an intimate portrait of her career and personal life.

C.W. Gortner has written another excellent novel, this time the story of the first internationally famous actress, Sarah Bernhardt. Born the illegitimate daughter of a courtesan, and against all odds, she came to be the most iconic of French actresses. She survived war, revolution, prejudice, an indifferent mother at best, and the theater system of the time to become the most innovative actress of her time. Along the way, she became acquainted with Alexander Dumas, Oscar Wilde, and more, and eventually toured England and America with huge success. Sarah was always determined to live life on her own terms, and the First Actress is a fascinating recounting of her life, her triumphs and heartbreaks, and an excellent look at Paris during that time period. Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House/Ballantine Books for the e-arc. Highly recommend!

THE FIRST ACTRESS
BY C.W. GORTNER

This was very interesting to me because although I have always known of Sarah Bernhardt I didn't have a comprehensive understanding of what a true trail blazer she was in the ways she influenced and changed how acting was done. This book was written in the first person and made me feel like I knew Sarah intimately. I never knew what a hard life that she lived and I have grown to love and appreciate Sarah. She was very controversial in her lifetime for always living her life authentically on her own terms. Modern acting today really owes Sarah recognition for her efforts in going against tradition to bringing emotion and the way actors interact towards each other rather than saying their lines towards their audience.

Sarah never knew her father and her date of birth isn't known because the records housing those details have been destroyed in a fire. Her mother's name was Julie and she was very cruel to Sarah. Her mother was a courtesan in France and she wanted to marry off Sarah to a man Julie picked out. Sarah attended a convent and although she was Jewish she converted to catholic religion probably because of the years she spent with the nuns in the convent. In the convent Sarah received a good education although she was versed only in speaking french in her early formative years. Sarah knew she was born to be an actress so she clashed with her mother's plans for her prearranged marriage. She attended France's acting school. After attending her training she had an iron will not to follow in her mother's footsteps to become a courtesan or get married to a man her mother chose for her.

Sarah was close with her maternal Aunt Rosine but she was also a courtesan. Madame G. as she was endearing to be called by Sarah was more of a mother to Sarah as she was kinder and became a life long helper in Sarah's own household. In order to attain her dowry for the much needed money Sarah needed to support herself before she became an actress, she made a deal with her mother to attend the opera and attract a male to pay for Sarah to have a sexual relationship with. In that capacity, to raise the funds needed for Sarah to pay for her own apartment she agreed to have sex with an aristocrat with whom she became pregnant with her only child she named Maurice. Sarah went against everybody's wishes to abort her baby. When she approached the aristocrat who was the father of her unborn child he didn't want to take responsibility and he refused to give Sarah any money to raise the child. They made an agreement to never bring up the subject again. Even though he was rich and could afford to help finance Sarah's much needed financial support.

Her mother Julie had two more daughter's who were also illegitimate. The second daughter was Julie's golden child who followed in Julie and Rosine's footsteps to become a courtesan. Julie's youngest daughter was treated as unwanted and Sarah and Madame G. took care of her and loved her. Sarah started out as a struggling actress that got lesser roles despite her training and talent. She first worked for the Comedie until she was fired because of an altercation with the older and more established actress Nathalie. Sarah then went to a more notorious playhouse where she acted in roles that held little passion for her. She then went back to the more higher regarded theater the Comedie where she became well known for her outstanding roles. I felt badly for Sarah because she was treated with scorn and jealousies from her fellow female actresses. Sarah was a kind person and I was so moved by how her son Maurice was her most beloved relationship and she didn't act at all like her own mother who had rejected Sarah and thought her efforts and deep passion for acting was foolish.

This work of historical fiction was inspired by a more scholarly author who used many non-fiction books to depict a real life fleshed out human being that Sarah Bernhardt embodied. I think he stuck to factual aspects as much as possible. My experience of reading this volume of Sarah's life was to grow to love her just as I suspect C.W. Gortner did. He crafted a narrative that was always sympathetic to Sarah no matter how unconventional her actions were in the world during the time that she lived. She met Oscar Wilde and she called him her poet. He accompanied her during her performances in England for royalty. This work about Sarah Bernhardt's many amazing accomplishments felt more academic than other historical fiction novels I have read. It almost had a biographical feel to it even though Sarah's voice told her story herself. I really think the author did a fantastic job of recreating a woman who never felt an ounce of self pity. She modernized acting and her fame grew against all of the obstacles a woman faced during the time period she lived. I highly recommend reading this outstanding narrative to those who enjoy the genre of historical fiction with a biographical feel. You will learn and expand your mind even if you aren't interested in the origins of actors and operas.

Thank you to Net Galley, the scholarly writer C.W. Gortner and Ballantine Publishing for generously providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. The pleasure was all mine and all opinion's are my own.

Publication Date: May 26, 2020

#TheFirstActress #CWGortner #BallantineBooksPublishing #NetGalley

THE FIRST ACTRESS
BY C.W. GORTNER

This was very interesting to me because although I have always known of Sarah Bernhardt I didn't have a comprehensive understanding of what a true trail blazer she was in the ways she influenced and changed how acting was done. This book was written in the first person and made me feel like I knew Sarah intimately. I never knew what a hard life that she lived and I have grown to love and appreciate Sarah. She was very controversial in her lifetime for always living her life authentically on her own terms. Modern acting today really owes Sarah recognition for her efforts in going against tradition to bringing emotion and the way actors interact towards each other rather than saying their lines towards their audience.

Sarah never knew her father and her date of birth isn't known because the records housing those details have been destroyed in a fire. Her mother's name was Julie and she was very cruel to Sarah. Her mother was a courtesan in France and she wanted to marry off Sarah to a man Julie picked out. Sarah attended a convent and although she was Jewish she converted to catholic religion probably because of the years she spent with the nuns in the convent. In the convent Sarah received a good education although she was versed only in speaking french in her early formative years. Sarah knew she was born to be an actress so she clashed with her mother's plans for her prearranged marriage. She attended France's acting school. After attending her training she had an iron will not to follow in her mother's footsteps to become a courtesan or get married to a man her mother chose for her.

Sarah was close with her maternal Aunt Rosine but she was also a courtesan. Madame G. as she was endearing to be called by Sarah was more of a mother to Sarah as she was kinder and became a life long helper in Sarah's own household. In order to attain her dowry for the much needed money Sarah needed to support herself before she became an actress, she made a deal with her mother to attend the opera and attract a male to pay for Sarah to have a sexual relationship with. In that capacity, to raise the funds needed for Sarah to pay for her own apartment she agreed to have sex with an aristocrat with whom she became pregnant with her only child she named Maurice. Sarah went against everybody's wishes to abort her baby. When she approached the aristocrat who was the father of her unborn child he didn't want to take responsibility and he refused to give Sarah any money to raise the child. They made an agreement to never bring up the subject again. Even though he was rich and could afford to help finance Sarah's much needed financial support.

Her mother Julie had two more daughter's who were also illegitimate. The second daughter was Julie's golden child who followed in Julie and Rosine's footsteps to become a courtesan. Julie's youngest daughter was treated as unwanted and Sarah and Madame G. took care of her and loved her. Sarah started out as a struggling actress that got lesser roles despite her training and talent. She first worked for the Comedie until she was fired because of an altercation with the older and more established actress Nathalie. Sarah then went to a more notorious playhouse where she acted in roles that held little passion for her. She then went back to the more higher regarded theater the Comedie where she became well known for her outstanding roles. I felt badly for Sarah because she was treated with scorn and jealousies from her fellow female actresses. Sarah was a kind person and I was so moved by how her son Maurice was her most beloved relationship and she didn't act at all like her own mother who had rejected Sarah and thought her efforts and deep passion for acting was foolish.

This work of historical fiction was inspired by a more scholarly author who used many non-fiction books to depict a real life fleshed out human being that Sarah Bernhardt embodied. I think he stuck to factual aspects as much as possible. My experience of reading this volume of Sarah's life was to grow to love her just as I suspect C.W. Gortner did. He crafted a narrative that was always sympathetic to Sarah no matter how unconventional her actions were in the world during the time that she lived. She met Oscar Wilde and she called him her poet. He accompanied her during her performances in England for royalty. This work about Sarah Bernhardt's many amazing accomplishments felt more academic than other historical fiction novels I have read. It almost had a biographical feel to it even though Sarah's voice told her story herself. I really think the author did a fantastic job of recreating a woman who never felt an ounce of self pity. She modernized acting and her fame grew against all of the obstacles a woman faced during the time period she lived. I highly recommend reading this outstanding narrative to those who enjoy the genre of historical fiction with a biographical feel. You will learn and expand your mind even if you aren't interested in the origins of actors and operas.

Thank you to Net Galley, the scholarly writer C.W. Gortner and Ballantine Publishing for generously providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. The pleasure was all mine and all opinion's are my own.

Publication Date: May 26, 2020

#TheFirstActress #CWGortner #BallantineBooksPublishing #NetGalley

THE FIRST ACTRESS
BY C.W. GORTNER

This was very interesting to me because although I have always known of Sarah Bernhardt I didn't have a comprehensive understanding of what a true trail blazer she was in the ways she influenced and changed how acting was done. This book was written in the first person and made me feel like I knew Sarah intimately. I never knew what a hard life that she lived and I have grown to love and appreciate Sarah. She was very controversial in her lifetime for always living her life authentically on her own terms. Modern acting today really owes Sarah recognition for her efforts in going against tradition to bringing emotion and the way actors interact towards each other rather than saying their lines towards their audience.

Sarah never knew her father and her date of birth isn't known because the records housing those details have been destroyed in a fire. Her mother's name was Julie and she was very cruel to Sarah. Her mother was a courtesan in France and she wanted to marry off Sarah to a man Julie picked out. Sarah attended a convent and although she was Jewish she converted to catholic religion probably because of the years she spent with the nuns in the convent. In the convent Sarah received a good education although she was versed only in speaking french in her early formative years. Sarah knew she was born to be an actress so she clashed with her mother's plans for her prearranged marriage. She attended France's acting school. After attending her training she had an iron will not to follow in her mother's footsteps to become a courtesan or get married to a man her mother chose for her.

Sarah was close with her maternal Aunt Rosine but she was also a courtesan. Madame G. as she was endearing to be called by Sarah was more of a mother to Sarah as she was kinder and became a life long helper in Sarah's own household. In order to attain her dowry for the much needed money Sarah needed to support herself before she became an actress, she made a deal with her mother to attend the opera and attract a male to pay for Sarah to have a sexual relationship with. In that capacity, to raise the funds needed for Sarah to pay for her own apartment she agreed to have sex with an aristocrat with whom she became pregnant with her only child she named Maurice. Sarah went against everybody's wishes to abort her baby. When she approached the aristocrat who was the father of her unborn child he didn't want to take responsibility and he refused to give Sarah any money to raise the child. They made an agreement to never bring up the subject again. Even though he was rich and could afford to help finance Sarah's much needed financial support.

Her mother Julie had two more daughter's who were also illegitimate. The second daughter was Julie's golden child who followed in Julie and Rosine's footsteps to become a courtesan. Julie's youngest daughter was treated as unwanted and Sarah and Madame G. took care of her and loved her. Sarah started out as a struggling actress that got lesser roles despite her training and talent. She first worked for the Comedie until she was fired because of an altercation with the older and more established actress Nathalie. Sarah then went to a more notorious playhouse where she acted in roles that held little passion for her. She then went back to the more higher regarded theater the Comedie where she became well known for her outstanding roles. I felt badly for Sarah because she was treated with scorn and jealousies from her fellow female actresses. Sarah was a kind person and I was so moved by how her son Maurice was her most beloved relationship and she didn't act at all like her own mother who had rejected Sarah and thought her efforts and deep passion for acting was foolish.

This work of historical fiction was inspired by a more scholarly author who used many non-fiction books to depict a real life fleshed out human being that Sarah Bernhardt embodied. I think he stuck to factual aspects as much as possible. My experience of reading this volume of Sarah's life was to grow to love her just as I suspect C.W. Gortner did. He crafted a narrative that was always sympathetic to Sarah no matter how unconventional her actions were in the world during the time that she lived. She met Oscar Wilde and she called him her poet. He accompanied her during her performances in England for royalty. This work about Sarah Bernhardt's many amazing accomplishments felt more academic than other historical fiction novels I have read. It almost had a biographical feel to it even though Sarah's voice told her story herself. I really think the author did a fantastic job of recreating a woman who never felt an ounce of self pity. She modernized acting and her fame grew against all of the obstacles a woman faced during the time period she lived. I highly recommend reading this outstanding narrative to those who enjoy the genre of historical fiction with a biographical feel. You will learn and expand your mind even if you aren't interested in the origins of actors and operas.

Thank you to Net Galley, the scholarly writer C.W. Gortner and Ballantine Publishing for generously providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. The pleasure was all mine and all opinion's are my own.

Publication Date: May 26, 2020

#TheFirstActress #CWGortner #BallantineBooksPublishing #NetGalley

THE FIRST ACTRESS
BY C.W. GORTNER

This was very interesting to me because although I have always known of Sarah Bernhardt I didn't have a comprehensive understanding of what a true trail blazer she was in the ways she influenced and changed how acting was done. This book was written in the first person and made me feel like I knew Sarah intimately. I never knew what a hard life that she lived and I have grown to love and appreciate Sarah. She was very controversial in her lifetime for always living her life authentically on her own terms. Modern acting today really owes Sarah recognition for her efforts in going against tradition to bringing emotion and the way actors interact towards each other rather than saying their lines towards their audience.

Sarah never knew her father and her date of birth isn't known because the records housing those details have been destroyed in a fire. Her mother's name was Julie and she was very cruel to Sarah. Her mother was a courtesan in France and she wanted to marry off Sarah to a man Julie picked out. Sarah attended a convent and although she was Jewish she converted to catholic religion probably because of the years she spent with the nuns in the convent. In the convent Sarah received a good education although she was versed only in speaking french in her early formative years. Sarah knew she was born to be an actress so she clashed with her mother's plans for her prearranged marriage. She attended France's acting school. After attending her training she had an iron will not to follow in her mother's footsteps to become a courtesan or get married to a man her mother chose for her.

Sarah was close with her maternal Aunt Rosine but she was also a courtesan. Madame G. as she was endearing to be called by Sarah was more of a mother to Sarah as she was kinder and became a life long helper in Sarah's own household. In order to attain her dowry for the much needed money Sarah needed to support herself before she became an actress, she made a deal with her mother to attend the opera and attract a male to pay for Sarah to have a sexual relationship with. In that capacity, to raise the funds needed for Sarah to pay for her own apartment she agreed to have sex with an aristocrat with whom she became pregnant with her only child she named Maurice. Sarah went against everybody's wishes to abort her baby. When she approached the aristocrat who was the father of her unborn child he didn't want to take responsibility and he refused to give Sarah any money to raise the child. They made an agreement to never bring up the subject again. Even though he was rich and could afford to help finance Sarah's much needed financial support.

Her mother Julie had two more daughter's who were also illegitimate. The second daughter was Julie's golden child who followed in Julie and Rosine's footsteps to become a courtesan. Julie's youngest daughter was treated as unwanted and Sarah and Madame G. took care of her and loved her. Sarah started out as a struggling actress that got lesser roles despite her training and talent. She first worked for the Comedie until she was fired because of an altercation with the older and more established actress Nathalie. Sarah then went to a more notorious playhouse where she acted in roles that held little passion for her. She then went back to the more higher regarded theater the Comedie where she became well known for her outstanding roles. I felt badly for Sarah because she was treated with scorn and jealousies from her fellow female actresses. Sarah was a kind person and I was so moved by how her son Maurice was her most beloved relationship and she didn't act at all like her own mother who had rejected Sarah and thought her efforts and deep passion for acting was foolish.

This work of historical fiction was inspired by a more scholarly author who used many non-fiction books to depict a real life fleshed out human being that Sarah Bernhardt embodied. I think he stuck to factual aspects as much as possible. My experience of reading this volume of Sarah's life was to grow to love her just as I suspect C.W. Gortner did. He crafted a narrative that was always sympathetic to Sarah no matter how unconventional her actions were in the world during the time that she lived. She met Oscar Wilde and she called him her poet. He accompanied her during her performances in England for royalty. This work about Sarah Bernhardt's many amazing accomplishments felt more academic than other historical fiction novels I have read. It almost had a biographical feel to it even though Sarah's voice told her story herself. I really think the author did a fantastic job of recreating a woman who never felt an ounce of self pity. She modernized acting and her fame grew against all of the obstacles a woman faced during the time period she lived. I highly recommend reading this outstanding narrative to those who enjoy the genre of historical fiction with a biographical feel. You will learn and expand your mind even if you aren't interested in the origins of actors and operas.

Thank you to Net Galley, the scholarly writer C.W. Gortner and Ballantine Publishing for generously providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. The pleasure was all mine and all opinion's are my own.

Publication Date: May 26, 2020

#TheFirstActress #CWGortner #BallantineBooksPublishing #NetGalley

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.