Sarah: A Novel of Sarah Bernhardt [Paperback]

Joel Groww (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1988

An historically detailed account of the life of an actress, based on the true story of Sarah Bernhardt whose career began in Paris during the 1860s and brought her 60 years of world-wide fame. The author's previous books include "The Lives of Rachel", "The Books of Rachel" and "Home of the Brave".

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In his author's note to this overlong fictional biography of Parisian actress Sarah Bernhardt, Gross explains that he here connects "the facts of her life to the strength of her legend." Idolized by turn-of-the-century fans, who were at the same time outraged by her scandalous behavior, the Divine Sarah was, indeed, larger than life. But Gross imagines for us a life-size Saraha woman disappointed in love by her mother, lovers and friends, and soothed, Gross theorizes, only by applause. This insight, though reasonable, is overworked as the narrative's single theme. If Gross had devoted fewer pages to Sarah's unrequited passions and focused his plain, frank prose more on her significant theatrical accomplishments, this would have been a faster-paced and more engrossing tale. On the other hand, Gross (Spirit in the Flesh presents an educated look at turn-of-the-century politics, Paris and the theater, as well as an appealing, if superficial, portrait of a legendary actress.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Joel Gross’s novels, including The Books of Rachel, have been selected by the Book of the Month Club and the Literary Guild. Also a playwright and screenwriter, he is a member of P.E.N., the Dramatists Guild, the Writers Guild, the Authors Guild, and the Playwrights Unit of the Actors Studio.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Avon Books (Mm) (June 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0380702770
• ISBN-13: 978-0380702770
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,930,347 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

JOEL GROSS

Joel's ten published novels include THE BOOKS OF RACHEL. His play, MARIE ANTOINETTE: THE COLOR OF FLESH, is published by Dramatists Play Service. His film script, MORTAL ARMOR: THE LEGEND OF GALAHAD, produced by Gale Anne Hurd, will be filmed in the UK next year. Joel has worked on films for Fox, Universal, Sony, and HBO. Joel has an M.A. in English and Comparative Literature from Columbia University, and is a member of P.E.N., the Dramatists Guild, the Writers Guild, and the Authors Guild.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Set Pieces that Make Me Want to Learn More, June 23, 2008

By 

Graceann Macleod "Books Fuel My Life" (London, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sarah: A Novel of Sarah Bernhardt (Paperback)

Joel Gross's take on Sarah Bernhardt, that she was soothed only by applause and was disappointed in all other aspects of her life, is an interesting one. The chapters are almost separate set pieces - some of which work remarkably well, and some not so much. I would have liked to have seen how Madame Sarah progressed from an awkward, little-known actress to the star that she became, and the segments dealing with her childhood left me with little sympathy for her due to her brattiness. The segment where her former lover visits her just before she is due to go onstage however, is so moving as to have caused me to cry.

I would have loved to have known the process of writing this book - did it take several years? Did the author have help? Some chapters were so well done, and others seemed almost slapdash. All in all, a worthy effort, however, and I will be interested in reading an objective biography of Madame Sarah in order to learn more of her story.