Book
The first actress : a novel of Sarah Bernhardt / C. W. Gortner.
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 author praised for his historical novels featuring famous women.
Record details
- ISBN: 9781524799076 (hardcover)
- Physical Description: 420 pages ; 25 cm
- Edition: First edition.
- Publisher: New York : Ballantine Books, [2020]
- Copyright: ©2020
Content descriptions
| Bibliography, etc. Note: | Includes bibliographical references. |
Search for related items by subject
| Subject: | Bernhardt, Sarah, 1844-1923, > Fiction. Actresses > Fiction. France > Fiction. |
| Genre: | Biographical fiction. Historical fiction. |
Available copies
- 1 of 1 copy available at Tsuga Consortium.
Holds
- 0 current holds with 1 total copy.
Show Only Available Copies
| Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cookstown Branch | FIC Gortn | 31681010196350 | FICTION | Available | - |
- B & T Entertainment
A historical tale inspired by the life of French actress Sarah Bernhardt traces the rise of a courtesan's daughter whose rebellious style and refusal to give up her child lead her to become the most acclaimed performer of her time. - Baker & Taylor
A historical tale inspired by the life of French actress Sarah Bernhardt traces the rise of a courtesanâs daughter whose rebellious style and refusal to give up her child lead her to become the most acclaimed performer of her time. - Baker & Taylor
The daughter of a high-class courtesan, Sarah Bernhardt mother pulled her out of convent school to set her up as a sexual companion to a rich elderly gentleman. Sarah is pregnant and unmarried at sixteen, expected to give up her baby to the nuns, but sherefuses to let him go. A natural talent and darkly beautiful, her innovative acting style attracts both admiration and scorn. Amazingly, she is hired by the famed Comâedie Franðcaise-- only to have her life torn asunder in the savagery of the 1870 Siege of Paris. Amidst the ruins of the city, Sarah nurses wounded soldiers before returning to the Comâedie and becoming world famous. -- adapted from jacket - Baker & Taylor
"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. 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."--Publisher description. - Random House, Inc.
âThis 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.ââMelanie Benjamin, New York Times bestselling author of Mistress of the Ritz and The Aviatorâs 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.
Sarahâs highly dramatic life starts when she returns to Paris after her convent schooling and is confronted by her motherâs 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 motherâs 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.Â
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 Franceâs most acclaimed actress, enthralling audiences with her shocking portrayals of female and male characters. Sarahâs daring talent and outrageous London engagement pave her path to worldwide celebrity, with sold-out tours in Europe and America.Â
Told in her own voice, this is Sarah Bernhardtâs incandescent storyâa fascinating, intimate account of a woman whose unrivaled talent and indomitable spirit has enshrined her in history as the Divine Sarah.
