The Chameleon

by Sugar Rautbord

Claire Organ was born a Christmas baby right in the middle of better dresses in Marshall Fields Department Store, to Violet Organ in 1924. Her father has disappeared but a trio of "aunties" (her mother plus two fellow salesladies at the store) make up the most loving and attentive family a young girl could have.

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit

560 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book of all time. I've read and re-read it probably 10 times. I don't know what it is about it - it's just such a great book. I don't know many people who have read it (it's not by a very well known author, though she is a Chicago girl. I think she's in PR or a socialite or something). It's about a woman born in Marshall Field's and cared for by her mother and 2 "aunts" (salesgirls her mother lives with). The book follows her through growing up and meeting her husband, a WASP from the East Coast with a family who disapproves. There's a romance that spans through the whole book and this woman's life is like Elizabeth Taylor's. I highly recommend this book!

[Ioanna Xristodoyloy · Rating 3 out of 5]

κριμα!ειχε υλικο για να γινει ενα πολυ δυνατο βιβλιο...χαθηκε στης ανουσιες προσθηκες για ατομα που δεν θα τα ξαναβλεπαμε δεκα σελιδες πιο κατω...πολλα σημεια τραβηγεμνα απο τα μαλλια ακομα και για την αμερικη τη γη των ευκαιριων..οι 2 -3 δενατες στιγμες του βιβλιο χαθηκαν στην ακατασχετη φλυαρια...το τελος του πιο νεροβραστο απο ποτε..

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

At 500+ pages, it is not a quick read - some chapters are indeed a marathon, BUT fear not because it is worth it. I knew nothing about it when I saw it at my local Library. I was attracted to the title & was all in after reading 1 paragraph of the inside flap ! I thoroughly enjoyed her writing style. Great flow & believable !
The storyline actually reminds me of
Barbara Taylor Bradford’s “A Woman of Substance” from 1979… which I read when I was not even 20
and I was so impressed by it, it remains one of my all time faves 40 years on. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
I hope someone gets it on the screen - it would be even more fantastic. Until then, I’m so glad I read this !

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable book, even more so if you're familiar with Marshall Field & Company's State Street store in its glorious heyday. Claire was born in Better Dresses and was raised by her mother and two friends, all shop girls at Field's. Given free reign to roam the store and all it's fascinating nooks and crannies, Claire watched her mother and aunts and then performed the same ladylike mannerisims necessary to "close a sale". Claire was coached in finishing school elegance and streetwise moxie by her mom and aunts which only added to her intelligence and charm. Those were the skills that she used in each of her 5 marriages to succeed and to reinvent herself. From a lowly salesgirl's daughter to a Californian Senator, Claire is an unsinkable winner -- a woman who lives life to the fullest by constantly reinventing herself -- inspires.

Rautbord lives in Chicago, herself a member of high society, and did an admirable job of detailing the social and fashion history of Marshall Field's and the delight that the store provided for so many years to so many people. Having worked at Field's, it brought back so many memories -- the Tiffany dome, the installation of the escalators, the Walnut Room, to Toy Department, the Book Department, the sub-basement and the pneumatic tubes that carried larger bills and made change, to the Frango Mints it is still known for today.

[G · Rating 2 out of 5]

A pal had asked me to read the book chameleon but didn't remember the name of the author. I picked this up from the bookstore and... I don't think I was ever the intended reader for this one as can be seen by the rating I've given it. The pal still doesn't remember the name of the author of the book she wanted me to read and I've still not gotten around to reading it. This one.. Didnt work for me.