Tragic Muse: Rachel of the Comedie-Francaise

by Rachel M. Brownstein

Chronicles the life of Europe's first great theatrical star, Rachel, a Jewish actress who became the toast of France and symbolized the contradictory nature of France's intellectual and cultural world.

Genres: Biography

318 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before I read this book, I knew nothing about Rachel except her name. Now I know a little bit more. But not quite enough to feel like I know her. Still, it was good to read about a woman who influenced Sarah Bernhardt.

[Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting 'biography' of a 'French' actress of the middle of the 19th century. However, it is also a 'history' of the times and what one could call literary criticism. She uses depictions of an actress in Charlotte Bronte's Villette, Henry James' Tragic Muse, George Eliot's Daniel Deronda assuming the fictional actress is really Rachel. A good possibility. She also uses letters of and to Rachel as well as contemporary commentaries by people who knew her to provide the life a an actress in mid-19th century France.