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L'Amour en héritage
Paris 1925. La bohème. Montparnasse. Magali Lunel, jeune beauté rousse de dix-sept ans veut devenir modèle. Son chemin va croiser celui de Julien Mercuès, peintre encore méconnu mais chez qui l'on pressent le génie. Pour Magali, un amour tumultueux mais sans lendemain. Elle rencontre alors un autre homme et donne naissance à une fille, Teddy. Le destin va faire se rencontrer Teddy et Mercuès et ce sera la passion, une passion dévorante. Teddy donne naissance elle aussi à une fille : Fauve... Une triple histoire d'amour qui fait le grand écart sur plus d'un demi-siècle d'histoire entre Paris, New York, le Lubéron, Rome, les Années Folles, la crise de 29, l'Occupation, le monde d'aujourd'hui, celui des peintres, des marchands de tableaux, de la mode, de la presse. Trois femmes, la mère, la fille et la petite-fille tour à tour fascinées par le même homme, un peintre génial qui brûle tout ce qu'il touche.
534 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
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About the author
Judith Krantz
55 books307 followersJudith Krantz was an American author of blockbuster romance novels including her first novel Scruples followed by Princess Daisy. Krantz's books have been translated into 52 languages and sold more than 85 million copies worldwide. Seven have been adapted as TV miniseries, with her late husband, Steve Krantz.
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March 19, 2017Who can forget this book? Many centuries ago, I loved this book in a maddening, insanely, obsessive way. lolol. Won't rate or review it until I reread it. I doubt if that will happen though. I'm grown-up now. Found myself in the meantime. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt, sort of. :-)
October 10, 2022
Тази книга я четох преди векове, но все още предизвиква топло чувство и усмивка пред непредвидимостта на живота и пъстротата му.
Един самовлюбен и гениален художник от началото на века, когато творят или наскоро са творили Пикасо, Матис и Дали. Цъфтящата, шумна Франция от 30-те - един истеричен и неповторим Париж.
Едно бедно момиче с жажда за живот и нетърпелива да се гмурне във водовъртежа.
Непреклонна, малко жестока, потайна и богата американска наследница.
Следват втората световна война и ослепителните и подмолни модни подиуми, Ню Йорк и “Вог” от 50-те и 60-те. Три поколени жени неволно са свързани с един мъж в неумолима, но пъстра съдба.
Романът може да мине за любовен, но с уговорката, че всъщност е съчетание на поне 2-3 жанра в различни пропорции, а авторката е забъркала още куп съставки: живопис, мода, бизнес, израстване и смяна на приоритетите, взетите с лека или недотам ръка житейски избори и цената им, семейството, както и грохотът на историята. Има я онази епичност, онази широта, която чупи тясната рамка на пазарна тясножанрова ориентация и авторско невежество за епоха и психология.
Героите са много човешки, а самият Мистрал е един от най-симпатичните антипатични герои и същевременно покрива представата ми за човек на изкуството, създаващ шедьоври за вечността. Няма изцяло лоши, няма изцяло добри. Предателствата, себичността. любовта се случват следвайки житейската логика. През три поколения се редуват върхове и спадове, щастие и нещастие, престъпления и изкупление.
Надявам се този начин на писане - чистото развлечение с щипка сериозност и добра обща култура - да не е останал изцяло в миналото.
Един самовлюбен и гениален художник от началото на века, когато творят или наскоро са творили Пикасо, Матис и Дали. Цъфтящата, шумна Франция от 30-те - един истеричен и неповторим Париж.
Едно бедно момиче с жажда за живот и нетърпелива да се гмурне във водовъртежа.
Непреклонна, малко жестока, потайна и богата американска наследница.
Следват втората световна война и ослепителните и подмолни модни подиуми, Ню Йорк и “Вог” от 50-те и 60-те. Три поколени жени неволно са свързани с един мъж в неумолима, но пъстра съдба.
Романът може да мине за любовен, но с уговорката, че всъщност е съчетание на поне 2-3 жанра в различни пропорции, а авторката е забъркала още куп съставки: живопис, мода, бизнес, израстване и смяна на приоритетите, взетите с лека или недотам ръка житейски избори и цената им, семейството, както и грохотът на историята. Има я онази епичност, онази широта, която чупи тясната рамка на пазарна тясножанрова ориентация и авторско невежество за епоха и психология.
Героите са много човешки, а самият Мистрал е един от най-симпатичните антипатични герои и същевременно покрива представата ми за човек на изкуството, създаващ шедьоври за вечността. Няма изцяло лоши, няма изцяло добри. Предателствата, себичността. любовта се случват следвайки житейската логика. През три поколения се редуват върхове и спадове, щастие и нещастие, престъпления и изкупление.
Надявам се този начин на писане - чистото развлечение с щипка сериозност и добра обща култура - да не е останал изцяло в миналото.
August 20, 2018
Molto carino, con una storia lineare e interessante, ambientazioni degne di nota e argomento intrigante - anche se alcuni personaggi sembrano fatti con lo stampino, ma in compenso la caratterizzazione degli altri è encomiabile (penso a Nadine e Kate, ma anche Avigdor è un personaggio che fa la sua figura). Però, una cosa: va bene qualche coincidenza, ma non è umanamente possibile che tre generazioni su tre partoriscano donne bellissime, intelligenti, focose, badass, tutte coi capelli rossi e col nasino regolare, alte, viso perfetto... Possibile che, per la legge dei grandi numeri, 'ste fanciulle non nascano mai con un difetto?
Ma va bene dai, è un romanzo e non deve essere per forza credibile, più che altro questo ha influito sulla godibilità generale della storia, perché ad un certo punto, quando tre vite su tre ripercorrono praticamente le stesse situazioni, diventa un pochino noioso andare avanti.
Non posso dire che il romanzo non sia ben costruito e anche piuttosto originale e piacevole, il problema è che oggettivamente ho fatto fatica a finirlo, e non solo perché sono 458 pagine scritte in lillipuziano: mi veniva spesso voglia di leggere altro, e dato che lo avevo abbandonato anni fa dopo le prime pagine (e anche stavolta lo avrei rifatto, ma per fortuna mi sono fatta forza e sono andata avanti, perché il resto merita davvero) non posso nemmeno dirmi che forse era il periodo sbagliato, avendolo provato in due momenti ben diversi e avendo provato le stesse sensazioni.
Forse i motivi per cui non mi ha conquistata al 100% sono l'eccessivo tirarla per le lunghe e la mancanza di un pizzico di mistero, che per me fa sempre molto in un libro: dopo un po' che capisci le dinamiche familiari puoi prevedere tutto quello che succederà dopo, perciò in fin dei conti non ero interessata più di tanto allo svolgimento, ma più all'evoluzione dei personaggi.
Punti a favore: tema artistico, originalità, alcuni personaggi molto buoni, e ambientazioni deliziose.
Punti a sfavore: eccessiva lunghezza, troppe coincidenze, ripetitività.
Complessivamente, 3.5*.
Ma va bene dai, è un romanzo e non deve essere per forza credibile, più che altro questo ha influito sulla godibilità generale della storia, perché ad un certo punto, quando tre vite su tre ripercorrono praticamente le stesse situazioni, diventa un pochino noioso andare avanti.
Non posso dire che il romanzo non sia ben costruito e anche piuttosto originale e piacevole, il problema è che oggettivamente ho fatto fatica a finirlo, e non solo perché sono 458 pagine scritte in lillipuziano: mi veniva spesso voglia di leggere altro, e dato che lo avevo abbandonato anni fa dopo le prime pagine (e anche stavolta lo avrei rifatto, ma per fortuna mi sono fatta forza e sono andata avanti, perché il resto merita davvero) non posso nemmeno dirmi che forse era il periodo sbagliato, avendolo provato in due momenti ben diversi e avendo provato le stesse sensazioni.
Forse i motivi per cui non mi ha conquistata al 100% sono l'eccessivo tirarla per le lunghe e la mancanza di un pizzico di mistero, che per me fa sempre molto in un libro: dopo un po' che capisci le dinamiche familiari puoi prevedere tutto quello che succederà dopo, perciò in fin dei conti non ero interessata più di tanto allo svolgimento, ma più all'evoluzione dei personaggi.
Punti a favore: tema artistico, originalità, alcuni personaggi molto buoni, e ambientazioni deliziose.
Punti a sfavore: eccessiva lunghezza, troppe coincidenze, ripetitività.
Complessivamente, 3.5*.
March 2, 2018
αντιφατικα τα συναισθηματα μου!ηταν ενα καταπληκτικο βιβλιο που το τσακισε η ακατασχετη φλυαρια της συγγραφεως.μου αρεσε ναι μεν πολυ αλλα με κουυρασε και πολυ...
Φλιαρουσε για ανθρωπους και καταστασεις που ουτε πουθενα εξηπηρετουσαν την πλοκη ουτε ειχαν ενα καπιο υποβαθρο για να γνωρησουμε μεσα απο αυτη τους ηρωες μας...υπηρχαν σημεια που εκανε κοιλια και καπου εκει αρχισε να φλιαρει κανωντας με να αναθεματιζω την ωρα και τη στιγμη που το πιασα στα χερια μου και με εκοψε στο καλυτερο σημειο. 3,5 αστερακια απο μενα οχι γιατι σαν βιβλιο δεν αξιζε,αξιζε και με το παραπανω ,αλλα θα μπορουσε να ειναι ενα καθαρο 5αρι και δεν το εκανε..
Φλιαρουσε για ανθρωπους και καταστασεις που ουτε πουθενα εξηπηρετουσαν την πλοκη ουτε ειχαν ενα καπιο υποβαθρο για να γνωρησουμε μεσα απο αυτη τους ηρωες μας...υπηρχαν σημεια που εκανε κοιλια και καπου εκει αρχισε να φλιαρει κανωντας με να αναθεματιζω την ωρα και τη στιγμη που το πιασα στα χερια μου και με εκοψε στο καλυτερο σημειο. 3,5 αστερακια απο μενα οχι γιατι σαν βιβλιο δεν αξιζε,αξιζε και με το παραπανω ,αλλα θα μπορουσε να ειναι ενα καθαρο 5αρι και δεν το εκανε..
March 22, 2012
This novel sweeps fifty years of art and fashion and women.
The story starts with Magali, born a bastard because her father died of smallpox before he could marry her mother. At seventeen she ran away to become a model, became wildly successful thanks to Paula Deslandes, and fell ruthlessly in love with Mistral. But Kate Browning showed up on the scene and Maggy left. She had a daughter with a rich American (married), waited for him to get divorced, but he died before that was possible, and Théodore was born. She grew up ostracized until college, where she played with boys' hearts until she met Mistral.
They fell wildly in love, and had Fauve. Mistral, however, was married to Kate Browning. Even had a daughter, Nadine. And so Fauve was born a bastard as well.
These are the five women connected to Mistral, and though only three of them count, both Kate and Nadine have very vital importance in the narrative. Kate is the reason Maggy leaves, the reason she falls in love with the rich American, and in the end the reason Teddy is born. She is part of the reason that Fauve went to live with her grandmother, and she is the reason for the separation between Fauve and Julien.
And Nadine is a twisted creature, slightly reminescent of Cathy from East of Eden. She'll do anything for status, anything for friends and money and the social life. I can't understand her, but she's one of the people that's necessary in this world. One of her last actions in the book is gruesome, but it provides the catalyst for the last half. And she's grown into something just as cruel as her mother, in a way, only perhaps a bit worse. By the way, if you haven't read East of Eden yet, go and do yourself a favor and pick it up.
Both Kate and her daughter are hateful creatures, but without them, there simply wouldn't be this book. Maggy would not have fallen in love with Perry, and she would not have had Teddy. And if Teddy had not been born, Fauve would not be either. And if Fauve hadn't been chased away by Kate, neither Julien nor Fauve would have grown. And though they're hateful creatures, they have motivations. Motivations that shine out and make them real enough to make one shiver.
I'm not sure which of the Lunel girls I liked the most.
Maggy, who struck out on her own at the age of seventeen and became famous, scandalous, and then famous again? Who started her own business? We know Maggy the longest. We see her grow from seventeen to fifty-something. We see all her life— Mistral, Perry, Darcy. Though she fades out of the spotlight when Teddy and then Fauve come onto the scene, there is still enough of her in it that you don't miss it much. Maggy is steadfast and reliable and you can see her change— not just because Darcy notices, too. I loved her proposal scene.
Teddy I could not respect for a while. A hedonistic lifestyle is never something I could appreciate. Drinking and partying and flirting with boys just didn't make sense. And then she fell in love. In a way we know less about Teddy than any of the other girls, and yet… it's alright. She is ridiculously carefree in a way most people don't ever expect to be, and she's wildly happy up until the very end.
Fauve grows up loved and sheltered and loved. I loved the descriptions of her as a baby, her meetings with her father… and I loved her ball, when she meets 'Roland.' She's quiet, determined, and in a way the character we get to know the most. Though we meet her 3/5ths of the way through, she promptly takes over the rest of the novel and holds it. And she's spellbinding and joyous. I read this book when I was seventeen. Fauve falls in love and becomes an adult at sixteen. And she does it in a way that's more accessible to me than Maggy's growing up (escaping from home) or Teddy's growing up (losing her lifestyle). Fauve becomes grown up by losing her faith in her father.
Mistral I could not understand. I was never as passionate about anything as he is. But the paintings— I would like to see paintings like what his are described as.
Perry is understandable— a bit of an uncle.
Darcy is funny— his meeting with Maggy, his relationship with Maggy and Fauve… he's steadfast.
And Eric? He's a dear. He's exactly, almost, what any girl would want. Except for the architecture, perhaps, but then, if he was not obsessed with architecture parts of the story would never have happened.
It's a beautiful, nuanced book. I love books with nuances and characters and in-depth details about each of them. This is exactly what that book was. At first I was put off by the fact that there are 'three generations of women, all linked to Mistral,' but then I read it and I was engrossed. Entranced. It's definitely worth a read.
The story starts with Magali, born a bastard because her father died of smallpox before he could marry her mother. At seventeen she ran away to become a model, became wildly successful thanks to Paula Deslandes, and fell ruthlessly in love with Mistral. But Kate Browning showed up on the scene and Maggy left. She had a daughter with a rich American (married), waited for him to get divorced, but he died before that was possible, and Théodore was born. She grew up ostracized until college, where she played with boys' hearts until she met Mistral.
They fell wildly in love, and had Fauve. Mistral, however, was married to Kate Browning. Even had a daughter, Nadine. And so Fauve was born a bastard as well.
These are the five women connected to Mistral, and though only three of them count, both Kate and Nadine have very vital importance in the narrative. Kate is the reason Maggy leaves, the reason she falls in love with the rich American, and in the end the reason Teddy is born. She is part of the reason that Fauve went to live with her grandmother, and she is the reason for the separation between Fauve and Julien.
And Nadine is a twisted creature, slightly reminescent of Cathy from East of Eden. She'll do anything for status, anything for friends and money and the social life. I can't understand her, but she's one of the people that's necessary in this world. One of her last actions in the book is gruesome, but it provides the catalyst for the last half. And she's grown into something just as cruel as her mother, in a way, only perhaps a bit worse. By the way, if you haven't read East of Eden yet, go and do yourself a favor and pick it up.
Both Kate and her daughter are hateful creatures, but without them, there simply wouldn't be this book. Maggy would not have fallen in love with Perry, and she would not have had Teddy. And if Teddy had not been born, Fauve would not be either. And if Fauve hadn't been chased away by Kate, neither Julien nor Fauve would have grown. And though they're hateful creatures, they have motivations. Motivations that shine out and make them real enough to make one shiver.
I'm not sure which of the Lunel girls I liked the most.
Maggy, who struck out on her own at the age of seventeen and became famous, scandalous, and then famous again? Who started her own business? We know Maggy the longest. We see her grow from seventeen to fifty-something. We see all her life— Mistral, Perry, Darcy. Though she fades out of the spotlight when Teddy and then Fauve come onto the scene, there is still enough of her in it that you don't miss it much. Maggy is steadfast and reliable and you can see her change— not just because Darcy notices, too. I loved her proposal scene.
Teddy I could not respect for a while. A hedonistic lifestyle is never something I could appreciate. Drinking and partying and flirting with boys just didn't make sense. And then she fell in love. In a way we know less about Teddy than any of the other girls, and yet… it's alright. She is ridiculously carefree in a way most people don't ever expect to be, and she's wildly happy up until the very end.
Fauve grows up loved and sheltered and loved. I loved the descriptions of her as a baby, her meetings with her father… and I loved her ball, when she meets 'Roland.' She's quiet, determined, and in a way the character we get to know the most. Though we meet her 3/5ths of the way through, she promptly takes over the rest of the novel and holds it. And she's spellbinding and joyous. I read this book when I was seventeen. Fauve falls in love and becomes an adult at sixteen. And she does it in a way that's more accessible to me than Maggy's growing up (escaping from home) or Teddy's growing up (losing her lifestyle). Fauve becomes grown up by losing her faith in her father.
Mistral I could not understand. I was never as passionate about anything as he is. But the paintings— I would like to see paintings like what his are described as.
Perry is understandable— a bit of an uncle.
Darcy is funny— his meeting with Maggy, his relationship with Maggy and Fauve… he's steadfast.
And Eric? He's a dear. He's exactly, almost, what any girl would want. Except for the architecture, perhaps, but then, if he was not obsessed with architecture parts of the story would never have happened.
It's a beautiful, nuanced book. I love books with nuances and characters and in-depth details about each of them. This is exactly what that book was. At first I was put off by the fact that there are 'three generations of women, all linked to Mistral,' but then I read it and I was engrossed. Entranced. It's definitely worth a read.
August 26, 2021
Ahhh, so enjoyable. Sure, it's shallow and formulaic and melodramatic, but Judith Krantz can sure string a pretty sentence together, packing in TONS of fancy details along the way. And it's so much fun to read about people that are impossibly good at what they do. (For example, Maggy the model is in her seventies but she looks SEVENTEEN. Haha!) The sex scenes are kind of tame, compared to Princess Daisy, anyway. I wish they'd make a movie again out of this book, with Rachel Hurd-Wood as Fauve.
May 10, 2022
Three generations of the beautiful Lunel women - Maggy, Teddy, and Fauve - are united in their connections to Julien Mistral, a world-famous painter.
In Mistral's Daughter, though the narrative is shaped around Mistral, the true focus is on the Lunel women, who had great impact on his personal and professional life. Each woman is distinct from the other, and all are compellingly and clearly sketched. Mistral, I thought the writing was evocative and the plot well-paced, as it held my attention throughout.
I also enjoyed the way the Lunel women interacted with their Jewish identity. All three approach it in different ways, but it is an important part of the plot and I appreciated that Krantz, who was Jewish herself, gave it such a prominent space in the story. Fauve's coming-of-age with the question of her identity beyond being Mistral's daughter especially felt surprisingly modern.
However, I did find the middle section of the book dragged on a little, as Teddy's narrative felt a lot more like a bridge between Maggy and Fauve than anything really interesting in itself. I was glad to finish her part and move on.
In Mistral's Daughter, though the narrative is shaped around Mistral, the true focus is on the Lunel women, who had great impact on his personal and professional life. Each woman is distinct from the other, and all are compellingly and clearly sketched. Mistral, I thought the writing was evocative and the plot well-paced, as it held my attention throughout.
I also enjoyed the way the Lunel women interacted with their Jewish identity. All three approach it in different ways, but it is an important part of the plot and I appreciated that Krantz, who was Jewish herself, gave it such a prominent space in the story. Fauve's coming-of-age with the question of her identity beyond being Mistral's daughter especially felt surprisingly modern.
However, I did find the middle section of the book dragged on a little, as Teddy's narrative felt a lot more like a bridge between Maggy and Fauve than anything really interesting in itself. I was glad to finish her part and move on.
August 10, 2017
Lo leí con 17 años y me pareció el culebron máximo. Hasta hicieron una miniserie debido al éxito que tuvo.
Aviso: No sé qué pensaría ahora sí lo volviera a leer.
Aviso: No sé qué pensaría ahora sí lo volviera a leer.
December 13, 2012
I know, I know. But I loved this book. Loved it so much I've read it probably once every two years for the last 20 or so years. Seriously. I don't know if it's that I love the three generations of ginger women who inhabit this book, or because of the glamour of the settings and the people, or because she is actually a wonderful writer who paints lovely, and detailed pictures with her words, regardless of the fact that it's a glorified romance novel. It's a family saga, not just a love story.
I've read other books by Krantz and enjoyed them for what they're worth but this one, for whatever reason, I can come back to again and again. (Yes I just read it again - Dec 2012)
I've read other books by Krantz and enjoyed them for what they're worth but this one, for whatever reason, I can come back to again and again. (Yes I just read it again - Dec 2012)
July 4, 2020
Нямаше шанс книгата, попадна в най-неподходящия момент при мен. Направо забравих началото, толкова дълго я четох , ако това може да се нарече четене, когато имаш тежки мисли в главата си.
Има потенциал , имаше някои силни моменти, но е толкова разтеглена, преплетени са толкова много истории и герои, че буквално се изгубих .
Малко са по-старите книги , които чета винаги с удоволствие и които няма да остареят.
Тази няма да е сред тях.
Има потенциал , имаше някои силни моменти, но е толкова разтеглена, преплетени са толкова много истории и герои, че буквално се изгубих .
Малко са по-старите книги , които чета винаги с удоволствие и които няма да остареят.
Тази няма да е сред тях.
August 4, 2013
Classic beach read, decadent escapist fun and I loved it.
May 7, 2017
Ho appena finito di leggere questo libro e devo dire che sono un po' stordita perché è quasi il contrario di ciò che mi aspettavo. Ecco perché...
1) Ho letto questo libro perché mi era stato consigliato per la descrizione che fa di Parigi... ma devo dire che Parigi è quasi una parentesi! Soltanto l'inizio della storia si svolge a Parigi, negli anni '20, nel bel mezzo delle avanguardie artistiche: l'atmosfera che si doveva respirare a Parigi è ben descritta... quindi se non siete interessati all'arte e pensate ad una descrizione "fisica" di Parigi, probabilmente resterete delusi.
+1 per ambientazione storico-artistica che mi interessa tanto!
2) L'azione successivamente si sposta a New York, ambiente della moda dal punto di vista "tecnico": sfilate, stilisti, fotografia... altri argomenti che adoro! Perché non sono una che veste alla moda, odio fare shopping, ma la moda mi interessa per tanti aspetti, sia perché comunque fa parte un po' del mio corso di studi, sia perché storicamente mi affascina, sia perché vuoi o non vuoi c'è di mezzo la fotografia e anche quella mi interessa.
+1 per altro argomento interessante
3) La storia si svolge in parte in Provenza, in campagna... devo dire altro?
+1 per la Provenza solo per il fatto che esiste!
4) Benché l'edizione faccia parte della collana "i grandi romanzi d'amore", non l'ho trovato propriamente un "romanzo d'amore".
Non amo i romanzi d'amore, generalmente mi annoiano... qui ci sono più storie d'amore ma mi sembra quasi che servano più da "guida" che da obbiettivo finale: mi sembra che la vera protagonista sia la storia familiare, la storia e l'evoluzione di 3 grandi donne tutte legate in modi diversi al pittore Julien Mistral.
+1 per la forza delle donne che riescono a rendersi indipendenti
Detto ciò, siamo arrivati ad un totale di 4 punti che equivalgono per me a 4 stelle... perché non una quinta? (e riecco un elenco puntato... di nuovo!)
1. Se uno dei punti a favore è stato quello di non essere propriamente una storia d'amore, devo dire che qualche raro momento "Harmony" l'ho visto... e in quei momenti avevo voglia di lanciare il libro dalla finestra; per fortuna quei momenti erano pochi altrimenti lo avrei lanciato sul serio.
2. Il titolo. Ho controllato il titolo originale per capire se come al solito la traduzione italiana avesse fatto cilecca, invece mi sa che questa volta la colpa è dell'autrice; il titolo non mi pare azzeccato perché non mi sembra che la figlia di Mistral sia la protagonista o il caso... lo avrei intitolato semplicemente "Mistral" sia per il vento (come metafora del tempo che cambia) sia per Julien Mistral che, anche se non è protagonista, è in qualche modo l'oggetto attorno a cui tutto ruota!
Fortunatamente si tratta di due piccole cose che possono essere unite in un unico punto... in più di solito assegno 5 stelle ai miei preferiti e, sebbene mi sia piaciuto parecchio, non lo inserirei tra i miei preferiti.
Tutto sommato una piacevole sorpresa!
1) Ho letto questo libro perché mi era stato consigliato per la descrizione che fa di Parigi... ma devo dire che Parigi è quasi una parentesi! Soltanto l'inizio della storia si svolge a Parigi, negli anni '20, nel bel mezzo delle avanguardie artistiche: l'atmosfera che si doveva respirare a Parigi è ben descritta... quindi se non siete interessati all'arte e pensate ad una descrizione "fisica" di Parigi, probabilmente resterete delusi.
+1 per ambientazione storico-artistica che mi interessa tanto!
2) L'azione successivamente si sposta a New York, ambiente della moda dal punto di vista "tecnico": sfilate, stilisti, fotografia... altri argomenti che adoro! Perché non sono una che veste alla moda, odio fare shopping, ma la moda mi interessa per tanti aspetti, sia perché comunque fa parte un po' del mio corso di studi, sia perché storicamente mi affascina, sia perché vuoi o non vuoi c'è di mezzo la fotografia e anche quella mi interessa.
+1 per altro argomento interessante
3) La storia si svolge in parte in Provenza, in campagna... devo dire altro?
+1 per la Provenza solo per il fatto che esiste!
4) Benché l'edizione faccia parte della collana "i grandi romanzi d'amore", non l'ho trovato propriamente un "romanzo d'amore".
Non amo i romanzi d'amore, generalmente mi annoiano... qui ci sono più storie d'amore ma mi sembra quasi che servano più da "guida" che da obbiettivo finale: mi sembra che la vera protagonista sia la storia familiare, la storia e l'evoluzione di 3 grandi donne tutte legate in modi diversi al pittore Julien Mistral.
+1 per la forza delle donne che riescono a rendersi indipendenti
Detto ciò, siamo arrivati ad un totale di 4 punti che equivalgono per me a 4 stelle... perché non una quinta? (e riecco un elenco puntato... di nuovo!)
1. Se uno dei punti a favore è stato quello di non essere propriamente una storia d'amore, devo dire che qualche raro momento "Harmony" l'ho visto... e in quei momenti avevo voglia di lanciare il libro dalla finestra; per fortuna quei momenti erano pochi altrimenti lo avrei lanciato sul serio.
2. Il titolo. Ho controllato il titolo originale per capire se come al solito la traduzione italiana avesse fatto cilecca, invece mi sa che questa volta la colpa è dell'autrice; il titolo non mi pare azzeccato perché non mi sembra che la figlia di Mistral sia la protagonista o il caso... lo avrei intitolato semplicemente "Mistral" sia per il vento (come metafora del tempo che cambia) sia per Julien Mistral che, anche se non è protagonista, è in qualche modo l'oggetto attorno a cui tutto ruota!
Fortunatamente si tratta di due piccole cose che possono essere unite in un unico punto... in più di solito assegno 5 stelle ai miei preferiti e, sebbene mi sia piaciuto parecchio, non lo inserirei tra i miei preferiti.
Tutto sommato una piacevole sorpresa!
April 23, 2018
I remember devouring several of Krantz' books in the early eighties. I was a knitaholic in those days, and any book with hard covers that opened flat on my lap was game, as I could knit and read at the same time. This was, of course, in the days before even the VCR, when Spain's Channel 1 started at 3 PM and went off-air at midnight or so. Channel 2 didn't even come on until 7, and was off by midnight too. So a big heavy 500 page "sweeping saga" was just up my street.
I decided to revisit this book just lately. I really enjoyed the 1920s part, but Krantz worked too hard at the old generational saga thing. For my money, she could have cut out the whole entire "Teddy" thread and just gone with two generations, but then she couldn't have drug us through half a century. After the rich detail of Magali's modeling youth, Teddy feels scamped over anyway. Not to mention all that business of Teddy "always" having an orgasm "without a sound or movement that could be detected...a secret orgasm that could happen even on a dance floor"!! Unless we stick to the clinical definition of "orgasm" as mere contractions of the vagina/uterus, with no pleasure involved, well, permette che dude, as they say in Italy. Oh please.
The three Lunel women are illegitimate, ie legally bastards, but that's okay, because the gospel according to Krantz appears to be that all men are fuelled by their sex drives, particularly artists, and are each and every one untrustworthy users. So it's okay to use their beauty to manipulate them. Oh, and all beautiful women are good at business, and the more beautiful they are the better they are at business. (oh please again. Beauty does not preclude acumen, but nor does it ensure it).
By two-thirds through the book, I was skimming, which with me is never a good sign. The ending was--well, there it was. A totally unbelievable wrap to a totally unbelievable tale, but then these were the days of "Hotel" and "Falcon Crest" and "Dallas."
Sorry, Judith, I've outgrown you.
I decided to revisit this book just lately. I really enjoyed the 1920s part, but Krantz worked too hard at the old generational saga thing. For my money, she could have cut out the whole entire "Teddy" thread and just gone with two generations, but then she couldn't have drug us through half a century. After the rich detail of Magali's modeling youth, Teddy feels scamped over anyway. Not to mention all that business of Teddy "always" having an orgasm "without a sound or movement that could be detected...a secret orgasm that could happen even on a dance floor"!! Unless we stick to the clinical definition of "orgasm" as mere contractions of the vagina/uterus, with no pleasure involved, well, permette che dude, as they say in Italy. Oh please.
The three Lunel women are illegitimate, ie legally bastards, but that's okay, because the gospel according to Krantz appears to be that all men are fuelled by their sex drives, particularly artists, and are each and every one untrustworthy users. So it's okay to use their beauty to manipulate them. Oh, and all beautiful women are good at business, and the more beautiful they are the better they are at business. (oh please again. Beauty does not preclude acumen, but nor does it ensure it).
By two-thirds through the book, I was skimming, which with me is never a good sign. The ending was--well, there it was. A totally unbelievable wrap to a totally unbelievable tale, but then these were the days of "Hotel" and "Falcon Crest" and "Dallas."
Sorry, Judith, I've outgrown you.
February 1, 2018
I first read this when I was 15 and it was a firm favourite in my teens and 30 years later it totally holds up. This was a fantastic read down memory lane and a realisation that nowadays there aren't these family sagas over 50 years that were so prevalent in the 1980's.
This starts in Paris in the 1920's, covers the prewar and wartime in occupied France, moves to the fashion and modelling scene of the 1950's and ends in the 1970's just before the rise of the supermodel. It deals with the art world, Parisian high society, the history of Jews in France and their persecution occupied France, the rise of modelling agencies in the 50's and their heyday in the 1970's, the difficulties of divorce in the 1920's, the stigma attached to illegitimate children, french law regarding recognition of love children - it had everything. The author has a gift with setting that you almost feel that you are there. I would love to see Krantz' 1980's set Provence because it is lovely and idyllic.
With the exception of Julien, the connecting thread between the 3 women, and a selfish, stupid man, this is a book about women. To a lesser or larger degree all the women are fascinating. Maggy, Fauve and Kate were especially well written, while those last pages on Nadine were excellent although I remember that in the mini-series they made her more sympathetic with a lovely scene on Julien's death. The auther never shied away from showing their selfishness and faults.
And to this day I'll always remember Fauve and Eric as a favourite couple.
This starts in Paris in the 1920's, covers the prewar and wartime in occupied France, moves to the fashion and modelling scene of the 1950's and ends in the 1970's just before the rise of the supermodel. It deals with the art world, Parisian high society, the history of Jews in France and their persecution occupied France, the rise of modelling agencies in the 50's and their heyday in the 1970's, the difficulties of divorce in the 1920's, the stigma attached to illegitimate children, french law regarding recognition of love children - it had everything. The author has a gift with setting that you almost feel that you are there. I would love to see Krantz' 1980's set Provence because it is lovely and idyllic.
With the exception of Julien, the connecting thread between the 3 women, and a selfish, stupid man, this is a book about women. To a lesser or larger degree all the women are fascinating. Maggy, Fauve and Kate were especially well written, while those last pages on Nadine were excellent although I remember that in the mini-series they made her more sympathetic with a lovely scene on Julien's death. The auther never shied away from showing their selfishness and faults.
And to this day I'll always remember Fauve and Eric as a favourite couple.
December 11, 2015
Could have been so much more. Full review:
http://sleaze-factor.blogspot.ca/2015...
http://sleaze-factor.blogspot.ca/2015...
October 28, 2022
Very enjoyable
June 3, 2023
I really enjoyed this book for its ongoing drama and succession over 3 generations. Many have given it low ratings due to no what-you-would-all like- happy endings with the passionate love, descriptions of eating out in Paris, and descriptions of the Fashion world.
I do not believe Krantz wrote it for that. She wrote it for the depth and bond of the three women and one unfortunate in painter, and how things happen throughout life that affect all of your remaining life She write a fast page tuning events that goes on through three generations, relating to relationshops
Mistral’ Daughter is a 3 generation novel of 3 women:
Maggie
Maggie’s Daughter- Teddy
Maggie’s granddaughter and Teddy’s Daughter – Fauve
And how they are all tied to the Painter Justin Mistral
They are all red-hair beauties born to scandal and bred to success
And tied to the man that bound them all to them – Justin Mistral
The Story starts with the death of Mistral and the discussion of who will, who won’t, and who does go to the funeral. Then switches to the beginning of Maggie’s life at 14 and goes on in succession
Maggy: was a teenager – a runaway in the2who wanted to become a model - and was immortalized in the paintings that made Mistral legendary. She rew up scandalized as she was illegitimate. She falls passionately in love with Mistral and supports his painting career but is then dropped for a paint investor. She starts her career as a model, Maggie then meets a married man, who unsuccessfully tries to obtain a divorce. When she becomes pregnant he wants her with him anyway, but as she travels to the US to meet him he dies. She then opens a Modeling agency
Teddy: Maggy’s illegitimate Daughter - the incomparable cover girl who lived fast and left as her legacy by having Mistral’s dazzling love child. Mistral falls head over heels with him and he leaves his wife for her. Tragedy strikes and Mistral loses Teddy
Fauve: Mistral's daughter, the headstrong, fearless glory girl whose one dark secret drove her to rule the world of high fashion and to risk everything in a feverish search for love. When her mother dies, Mistral lets Fauve go back to Maggie, as he is unable to take care of her. Fot years, during the summer, she visits him in France. He is still married to Kate and has a daughter – Fauve’s half-sister - Nadine. Kat and Nadine have n no use or appreciation for Fauve. When Fauve is 16 a secret comes out thar affect Fauve so much she refuses to go back for any more visits. Fauves starts as a model, for her mother, but become an assistant in running the business
The story is a spellbinding tale of international fashion and modeling, at its height in Paris, and a love story of all of
I do not believe Krantz wrote it for that. She wrote it for the depth and bond of the three women and one unfortunate in painter, and how things happen throughout life that affect all of your remaining life She write a fast page tuning events that goes on through three generations, relating to relationshops
Mistral’ Daughter is a 3 generation novel of 3 women:
Maggie
Maggie’s Daughter- Teddy
Maggie’s granddaughter and Teddy’s Daughter – Fauve
And how they are all tied to the Painter Justin Mistral
They are all red-hair beauties born to scandal and bred to success
And tied to the man that bound them all to them – Justin Mistral
The Story starts with the death of Mistral and the discussion of who will, who won’t, and who does go to the funeral. Then switches to the beginning of Maggie’s life at 14 and goes on in succession
Maggy: was a teenager – a runaway in the2who wanted to become a model - and was immortalized in the paintings that made Mistral legendary. She rew up scandalized as she was illegitimate. She falls passionately in love with Mistral and supports his painting career but is then dropped for a paint investor. She starts her career as a model, Maggie then meets a married man, who unsuccessfully tries to obtain a divorce. When she becomes pregnant he wants her with him anyway, but as she travels to the US to meet him he dies. She then opens a Modeling agency
Teddy: Maggy’s illegitimate Daughter - the incomparable cover girl who lived fast and left as her legacy by having Mistral’s dazzling love child. Mistral falls head over heels with him and he leaves his wife for her. Tragedy strikes and Mistral loses Teddy
Fauve: Mistral's daughter, the headstrong, fearless glory girl whose one dark secret drove her to rule the world of high fashion and to risk everything in a feverish search for love. When her mother dies, Mistral lets Fauve go back to Maggie, as he is unable to take care of her. Fot years, during the summer, she visits him in France. He is still married to Kate and has a daughter – Fauve’s half-sister - Nadine. Kat and Nadine have n no use or appreciation for Fauve. When Fauve is 16 a secret comes out thar affect Fauve so much she refuses to go back for any more visits. Fauves starts as a model, for her mother, but become an assistant in running the business
The story is a spellbinding tale of international fashion and modeling, at its height in Paris, and a love story of all of
July 22, 2019
2.99 - 3.25 stars
As a challenge, I decided to read a romance novel, and a friend recommended Mistral's Daughter because of the research, the writing, and the locations. I think of romance novels as lightweight summer reading, but this tome could take you an entire summer to get through. Lordy, Judith Krantz must have been paid by the word!
In my estimation, the book is so well-researched that it borders on historical fiction. However, there were so many times when the author's penchant for lush description detracted -- and distracted me - from the story. I skimmed a number of the overly descriptive passages.
And what about that ending? Krantz gave us 499 hundred pages of prattling on and on with descriptions and historical facts and then resolves the book with a rushed, trite ending!
In spite of the issues that I had with this book, I did enjoy it.
As a challenge, I decided to read a romance novel, and a friend recommended Mistral's Daughter because of the research, the writing, and the locations. I think of romance novels as lightweight summer reading, but this tome could take you an entire summer to get through. Lordy, Judith Krantz must have been paid by the word!
In my estimation, the book is so well-researched that it borders on historical fiction. However, there were so many times when the author's penchant for lush description detracted -- and distracted me - from the story. I skimmed a number of the overly descriptive passages.
And what about that ending? Krantz gave us 499 hundred pages of prattling on and on with descriptions and historical facts and then resolves the book with a rushed, trite ending!
In spite of the issues that I had with this book, I did enjoy it.
January 30, 2025
The storyline was very interesting. I always like when it goes back in time to explain. I did have a little trouble understanding all of the different places in France, etc., and the art lingo (which is the best way I could describe it). BUT, I still recommend the book. It did have some twists and turns which always makes it interesting. With that said, some was also predictable.,
March 25, 2019
Entera que su papá murió de golpe y no siente nada. Su abuela, Maggy Lunel, la consuela.
Ma Gil programa en una plaza en París a qué modelo de pintores.
La selecciona un pintor y luego se lo discuta Mistral. A las nueve para que por esa con un 17 años se siente avergonzada. Por primera vez él se excita ante una modelo y la maltrata por ser una principiante inepta.
Apadrinada por una vieja modelo que desea destronar a su rival, quien está generando chismes de ella, Aprenda a no avergonzarse de su cuerpo. En una fiesta la pintan de fruta, la llevan en una bandeja por la calle y toda la fiesta. Se arma una pena Mistral la rescata y se la lleva a su estudio. Allí la seduce y por primera vez hace el amor con 17 años.
Ella se enamora de Mistral, Mientras esté la pinta en un frenesí de pasión.
Creo que puedo estar en una posición por horas.
Pasa bastante tiempo sin cobrar, manteniendo los gastos de la casa. Mistral le regala el primer cuadro que pinta de ella.
Lo descubre Kate, una millonaria a quien había dejado plantada por Maggy en la fiesta, y que lleva a un judío, Aviñón, que le arma una exposición de pintor único y Mistral es un éxito.
Kate reserva toda la colección de Maggy quien reclama su cuadro. Mistral en su genialidad arrogante y egoísta la reprende dice que pintará otro. Dejándolo atrás ella lo deja sabiendo que nunca le dijo que la amaba y sospechando que se acostaba con Kate, aunque no fuera verdad.
Mistral pierde la inspiración y trata a Kate con indiferencia. Se van de viaje en auto donde él comienza a pintar el campo de Francia. El se enamora de una granja. Ella la compra y le ofrece matrimonio regalándole la granja como dote.
Él no ve motivos para rechazarlo pues allí recuperó su inspiración.
Mistral nunca la pinta pues le dice que su piel es opaca para pintar.
Kate le maneja todo el negocio y se convierta en un pintor tan grande como Picazzo.
Mago tan bella, cortejada por americano casado que le promete casamiento. Ella queda embarazada Y él se sorprende pues creía no poder engendrar. El hace todo para convencer a su religiosa esposa a divorciarse, pero no tiene éxito. La crisis de 1929 él sufre un infarto y muere cuando llega Maggy Con su hija en brazos, si queda sola y sin más las joyas que las joyas que él le regalara, pues nunca hizo testamento para su hija.
Cuando Maggy intenta vender sus joyas, que ella había elegido personalmente de brillantes pequeños y coloridos, se entera de que no tienen valor por no ser grandes, excepto por una esmeralda. Gracias a esta consigue vender toda la colección por 10.000 $.
Consigue trabajar pasando modelos de vestidos en una tienda y se va haciendo famosa. Darcy se enamora de ella Y la corteza. En una Exposición de Mistral sale a la luz sus cuadros desnudos, su relación con un hombre casado y su hija bastarda y es echado de la tienda.
Darcy le había mencionado sobre las nuevas modelos de fotografía para anuncios y el 10% que le dejan a sus agentes. Magaly no quiero hacer más modelaje y decide ser agente como hacía en la tienda aconsejando a las otras modelo.
Abre su negocio de modelos es muy exitoso mientras cría a su hija.
Magaly nunca lo cuenta a su hija sobre su padre ni sobre Mistral y sobre sus raíces judías más que lo justo y necesario. La cría con amor pero siempre trabajando. Y se hace crecer sin identidad siendo atormentado por sus compañeras por ser alta y bella.
En la agencia todos la adoran.
En la Universidad Prueba alcohol con unos amigos, pero la descubren las autoridades y la expulsan.
Empezar a trabajar con su madre como modelo. Se convierte en la mejor modelo de la agencia ganando mucho dinero. Magaly se rehúsa A dejarla viajar para un evento con los mejores pintores de Francia, en el cual se encuentra Mistral. No se queriendo confesarle nada, su hija acepta el trabajo.
Mistral tiene una hija que al principio llego a sentir la alegría de su madre, pero luego ella y sus sirvientes la malcrían tanto que siente desapego de la niña. Ella insistía acompañarlo en su estudio a pintar pero era muy inquieta y Mistral no la toleraba.
Mistral ya no se acostaba con Kate, la engañaba y ella se la pasaba haciendo fiestas que él toleraba en su famosa granja. Cuando Mistral ve a la hija de Magaly le quita la pintura de las cejas que la obligaban a llevar por la moda y le dice que lleva mucha pintura igual que su madre, reconociéndola al instante. Cuchichean por lo bajo reconociendo el impacto descomunal que los encandiló al uno por el otro y los enamoró en un flash. Me dan en encontrarse después. La joven suspende su regreso.
Van a tomar algo y si toman de la mano. Ella llora por esa emoción que siente sin palabras. Por primera vez Mistral se enamora. Se encierran en un departamento alquilado y hacen el amor constantemente. Él la pinta.
Ella quedó embarazada y Mestral se siente más feliz que nunca en su vida promete divorciarse y casarse con ella. En un paseo en bote al que los invitaron, esa calle por la borda y se golpea la cabeza con un ancla a medio alzar.
Isa muere dejando o Fauve su bebé de dos meses. Mistral siente un dolor tan grande que nunca sintió y entrega a su bebé a Magaly para que la críe.
Pasa cuatro años ayudando sin sentido alguno hasta que vuelve a su granja con Kate y su otra hija.
Magaly quería Faubel y esta vez le cuento todo eso excepto su población. La cría en el judaísmo como ella fue criada siendo la tercera generación de mujeres Lunel bastardas.
A los ocho años ella dibuja muy bien y es una celebridad por ser la famosa hija bastarda de Mistral. Su padre la va a buscar al colegio y se presenta. Ella sabe perfectamente quién es su padre que sale en todas las revistas su parentesco. A partir de allí cada verano va a pasar las vacaciones con su padre en la campiña francesa.
Mistral le prepara una habitación de niña en la torre que ella ama. Mistral la pinta, le enseña a pintar, hace diferencia con su otra hija ocho años mayor que ella, pues Fauve es tranquila y paciente. Kate simula cortesía pero la odia.
A los 16 años conoce a un chico y comienzan a salir. Eric la llevo a pasear por la campiña quitándole tiempo a su padre a quien le dice que no decía pintar pues ya sabes que nunca será como el y el intenta siempre que ella siga el estilo de él.
Ella comienza a obsesionarse con toda la historia de dos judíos, de sus ancestros nunca se enoja con su hija pero busca el tema judío haciendo que 3/4 de ella es católico. Pero dentro de que el hijo, Eric, me revele Durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial no acepto ningún judío que venía a pedir alojamiento para salir de Francia y teme que echó a su padre Aviñón cuando fue a visitarlo para saber si estaba bien y pintando, siendo que era su agente. Lo vio como no conservaba desde la ventana de su estudio se enfureció con Mistral.
A la tanto de los judíos y de las sinagogas y de todo aquello que mostrar en una cena explota. Sus raíces y consigue entrar al estudio a ver la escultura que tenía guardada de su madre le dije haciendo bebé. Decido hablarle de su madre. Decide hacer un Testamento se lo comunica a su esposa.
Furiosa, Kate, Habla con Fauve para que no siga con el tema de los judíos y le confiesa todo lo que supo eso mientras ella estaba en Estados Unidos.
Mistral corrobora la información creyendo que se lo había contado a Eric. Ella hace las valijas. Enamorado Eric la lleva a la estación de tren la deja. Él con 20 años y ella 16, no sabe qué otra cosa hacer.
Fauve Y cuando a nadie la información la obtuvo de Kate. Ella está enferma de cáncer pero se siente satisfecha de que la herencia de su hija será 100% para ella.
Mistral se encierra más que nunca.
Fauve se dedica a trabajar con Magali siendo su par.
En un viaje por Roma se encuentra con Eric y hacen el amor por primera vez. El le confiesa que nunca dejo de estar enamorado de ella. Ella no acepta su pedido de matrimonio pues no quiere confiar en nadie, ni defraudar a su abuela que se había casado con Darcy y vivía la mitad de la semana en una quinta. Pero Magali ya se aburría del campo aunque ella no lo sabía.
Eric se ofende cuando ella lo rechaza por segunda vez, luego de no haber contestado la última carta (que ambos reclamaban al otro no haberlo hecho) para volver a su trabajo en Nueva York.
Mistral muere siendo custodiado por su hija que lo atiende a medias si llamar a un doctor esperando por su muerte sin asistirlo en sus últimos pedidos de ayuda, ahogándose en una pulmonía, porque debe trabajar para mantenerse ya que Mistral no quería pasarles un peso para sus gastos descomunales, siendo que él manejaba su dinero desde que había vuelto a la granja.
Cuando la hermana de Fauve impugna el testamento, intentando decir que no era hija de Mistral y tratando a su madre públicamente como una prostituta, todos los periodista lo publican y así se conoce el desprecio que él sentía por favor hija y su yerno dados a las frivolidades y el amor que siente por Fauve a quien le deja la colección de su abuela (que había comprado a Kate), la última colección que pintó y la había declarado su hija legítima luego de una ley que se lo permitió.
Fauve necesita defender a su madre de tan perversa acusación y acude al padre de Eric Aviñón. Pero es él que de mal talante la busca en el aeropuerto. Las cosas se calman entre ellos. Pero él trabaja y casi no se ven.
Fauve se entera por testigos del amor apasionado e intenso que vivieron y comienza a entender a su padre, pero no lo perdona. Aviñón la convence de presentarse a la apertura del estudio del padre con los peritos judiciales.
La última colección para Fauve eran enormes cuadros de candelabros judíos y festividades judías pidiéndole perdón a ella y al mundo por sus hechos, con frases en hebreo. Habiendo recorrido las sinagogas que ella le hablara a sus 16 años.
Ella hace las pases con su padre y Magali con su ex amante.
Finalmente se reconcilian con Eric y se casarán, pero debe ir a comprar la pera que él comió y ella estaba pintando.
Ma Gil programa en una plaza en París a qué modelo de pintores.
La selecciona un pintor y luego se lo discuta Mistral. A las nueve para que por esa con un 17 años se siente avergonzada. Por primera vez él se excita ante una modelo y la maltrata por ser una principiante inepta.
Apadrinada por una vieja modelo que desea destronar a su rival, quien está generando chismes de ella, Aprenda a no avergonzarse de su cuerpo. En una fiesta la pintan de fruta, la llevan en una bandeja por la calle y toda la fiesta. Se arma una pena Mistral la rescata y se la lleva a su estudio. Allí la seduce y por primera vez hace el amor con 17 años.
Ella se enamora de Mistral, Mientras esté la pinta en un frenesí de pasión.
Creo que puedo estar en una posición por horas.
Pasa bastante tiempo sin cobrar, manteniendo los gastos de la casa. Mistral le regala el primer cuadro que pinta de ella.
Lo descubre Kate, una millonaria a quien había dejado plantada por Maggy en la fiesta, y que lleva a un judío, Aviñón, que le arma una exposición de pintor único y Mistral es un éxito.
Kate reserva toda la colección de Maggy quien reclama su cuadro. Mistral en su genialidad arrogante y egoísta la reprende dice que pintará otro. Dejándolo atrás ella lo deja sabiendo que nunca le dijo que la amaba y sospechando que se acostaba con Kate, aunque no fuera verdad.
Mistral pierde la inspiración y trata a Kate con indiferencia. Se van de viaje en auto donde él comienza a pintar el campo de Francia. El se enamora de una granja. Ella la compra y le ofrece matrimonio regalándole la granja como dote.
Él no ve motivos para rechazarlo pues allí recuperó su inspiración.
Mistral nunca la pinta pues le dice que su piel es opaca para pintar.
Kate le maneja todo el negocio y se convierta en un pintor tan grande como Picazzo.
Mago tan bella, cortejada por americano casado que le promete casamiento. Ella queda embarazada Y él se sorprende pues creía no poder engendrar. El hace todo para convencer a su religiosa esposa a divorciarse, pero no tiene éxito. La crisis de 1929 él sufre un infarto y muere cuando llega Maggy Con su hija en brazos, si queda sola y sin más las joyas que las joyas que él le regalara, pues nunca hizo testamento para su hija.
Cuando Maggy intenta vender sus joyas, que ella había elegido personalmente de brillantes pequeños y coloridos, se entera de que no tienen valor por no ser grandes, excepto por una esmeralda. Gracias a esta consigue vender toda la colección por 10.000 $.
Consigue trabajar pasando modelos de vestidos en una tienda y se va haciendo famosa. Darcy se enamora de ella Y la corteza. En una Exposición de Mistral sale a la luz sus cuadros desnudos, su relación con un hombre casado y su hija bastarda y es echado de la tienda.
Darcy le había mencionado sobre las nuevas modelos de fotografía para anuncios y el 10% que le dejan a sus agentes. Magaly no quiero hacer más modelaje y decide ser agente como hacía en la tienda aconsejando a las otras modelo.
Abre su negocio de modelos es muy exitoso mientras cría a su hija.
Magaly nunca lo cuenta a su hija sobre su padre ni sobre Mistral y sobre sus raíces judías más que lo justo y necesario. La cría con amor pero siempre trabajando. Y se hace crecer sin identidad siendo atormentado por sus compañeras por ser alta y bella.
En la agencia todos la adoran.
En la Universidad Prueba alcohol con unos amigos, pero la descubren las autoridades y la expulsan.
Empezar a trabajar con su madre como modelo. Se convierte en la mejor modelo de la agencia ganando mucho dinero. Magaly se rehúsa A dejarla viajar para un evento con los mejores pintores de Francia, en el cual se encuentra Mistral. No se queriendo confesarle nada, su hija acepta el trabajo.
Mistral tiene una hija que al principio llego a sentir la alegría de su madre, pero luego ella y sus sirvientes la malcrían tanto que siente desapego de la niña. Ella insistía acompañarlo en su estudio a pintar pero era muy inquieta y Mistral no la toleraba.
Mistral ya no se acostaba con Kate, la engañaba y ella se la pasaba haciendo fiestas que él toleraba en su famosa granja. Cuando Mistral ve a la hija de Magaly le quita la pintura de las cejas que la obligaban a llevar por la moda y le dice que lleva mucha pintura igual que su madre, reconociéndola al instante. Cuchichean por lo bajo reconociendo el impacto descomunal que los encandiló al uno por el otro y los enamoró en un flash. Me dan en encontrarse después. La joven suspende su regreso.
Van a tomar algo y si toman de la mano. Ella llora por esa emoción que siente sin palabras. Por primera vez Mistral se enamora. Se encierran en un departamento alquilado y hacen el amor constantemente. Él la pinta.
Ella quedó embarazada y Mestral se siente más feliz que nunca en su vida promete divorciarse y casarse con ella. En un paseo en bote al que los invitaron, esa calle por la borda y se golpea la cabeza con un ancla a medio alzar.
Isa muere dejando o Fauve su bebé de dos meses. Mistral siente un dolor tan grande que nunca sintió y entrega a su bebé a Magaly para que la críe.
Pasa cuatro años ayudando sin sentido alguno hasta que vuelve a su granja con Kate y su otra hija.
Magaly quería Faubel y esta vez le cuento todo eso excepto su población. La cría en el judaísmo como ella fue criada siendo la tercera generación de mujeres Lunel bastardas.
A los ocho años ella dibuja muy bien y es una celebridad por ser la famosa hija bastarda de Mistral. Su padre la va a buscar al colegio y se presenta. Ella sabe perfectamente quién es su padre que sale en todas las revistas su parentesco. A partir de allí cada verano va a pasar las vacaciones con su padre en la campiña francesa.
Mistral le prepara una habitación de niña en la torre que ella ama. Mistral la pinta, le enseña a pintar, hace diferencia con su otra hija ocho años mayor que ella, pues Fauve es tranquila y paciente. Kate simula cortesía pero la odia.
A los 16 años conoce a un chico y comienzan a salir. Eric la llevo a pasear por la campiña quitándole tiempo a su padre a quien le dice que no decía pintar pues ya sabes que nunca será como el y el intenta siempre que ella siga el estilo de él.
Ella comienza a obsesionarse con toda la historia de dos judíos, de sus ancestros nunca se enoja con su hija pero busca el tema judío haciendo que 3/4 de ella es católico. Pero dentro de que el hijo, Eric, me revele Durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial no acepto ningún judío que venía a pedir alojamiento para salir de Francia y teme que echó a su padre Aviñón cuando fue a visitarlo para saber si estaba bien y pintando, siendo que era su agente. Lo vio como no conservaba desde la ventana de su estudio se enfureció con Mistral.
A la tanto de los judíos y de las sinagogas y de todo aquello que mostrar en una cena explota. Sus raíces y consigue entrar al estudio a ver la escultura que tenía guardada de su madre le dije haciendo bebé. Decido hablarle de su madre. Decide hacer un Testamento se lo comunica a su esposa.
Furiosa, Kate, Habla con Fauve para que no siga con el tema de los judíos y le confiesa todo lo que supo eso mientras ella estaba en Estados Unidos.
Mistral corrobora la información creyendo que se lo había contado a Eric. Ella hace las valijas. Enamorado Eric la lleva a la estación de tren la deja. Él con 20 años y ella 16, no sabe qué otra cosa hacer.
Fauve Y cuando a nadie la información la obtuvo de Kate. Ella está enferma de cáncer pero se siente satisfecha de que la herencia de su hija será 100% para ella.
Mistral se encierra más que nunca.
Fauve se dedica a trabajar con Magali siendo su par.
En un viaje por Roma se encuentra con Eric y hacen el amor por primera vez. El le confiesa que nunca dejo de estar enamorado de ella. Ella no acepta su pedido de matrimonio pues no quiere confiar en nadie, ni defraudar a su abuela que se había casado con Darcy y vivía la mitad de la semana en una quinta. Pero Magali ya se aburría del campo aunque ella no lo sabía.
Eric se ofende cuando ella lo rechaza por segunda vez, luego de no haber contestado la última carta (que ambos reclamaban al otro no haberlo hecho) para volver a su trabajo en Nueva York.
Mistral muere siendo custodiado por su hija que lo atiende a medias si llamar a un doctor esperando por su muerte sin asistirlo en sus últimos pedidos de ayuda, ahogándose en una pulmonía, porque debe trabajar para mantenerse ya que Mistral no quería pasarles un peso para sus gastos descomunales, siendo que él manejaba su dinero desde que había vuelto a la granja.
Cuando la hermana de Fauve impugna el testamento, intentando decir que no era hija de Mistral y tratando a su madre públicamente como una prostituta, todos los periodista lo publican y así se conoce el desprecio que él sentía por favor hija y su yerno dados a las frivolidades y el amor que siente por Fauve a quien le deja la colección de su abuela (que había comprado a Kate), la última colección que pintó y la había declarado su hija legítima luego de una ley que se lo permitió.
Fauve necesita defender a su madre de tan perversa acusación y acude al padre de Eric Aviñón. Pero es él que de mal talante la busca en el aeropuerto. Las cosas se calman entre ellos. Pero él trabaja y casi no se ven.
Fauve se entera por testigos del amor apasionado e intenso que vivieron y comienza a entender a su padre, pero no lo perdona. Aviñón la convence de presentarse a la apertura del estudio del padre con los peritos judiciales.
La última colección para Fauve eran enormes cuadros de candelabros judíos y festividades judías pidiéndole perdón a ella y al mundo por sus hechos, con frases en hebreo. Habiendo recorrido las sinagogas que ella le hablara a sus 16 años.
Ella hace las pases con su padre y Magali con su ex amante.
Finalmente se reconcilian con Eric y se casarán, pero debe ir a comprar la pera que él comió y ella estaba pintando.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2021
Il Mistral del libro è Julien, l'artista, un uomo egoista e privo di scrupoli che in nome della sua arte è capace di sacrificare ogni cosa. Attorno a lui si dipanano i destini di 3 donne, Maggy, Teddy e Fauve, diverse eppure simili nella loro ricerca di indipendenza e felicità. Le vicende iniziano nella Parigi degli artisti, nei ruggenti anni '20, quando tutto sembra possibile ad una giovane e squattrinata ragazza ebrea, arrivata nella grande metropoli dalle campagne francesi. Maggy si lascia travolgere dall'atmosfera di libertà e feste che animano le notti parigine, diventa una modella molto quotata e posa per Mistral, in una serie di quadri che diventano leggenda.
L'azione si sposta negli Stati Uniti, prima che la seconda guerra mondiale ed il dramma dell'Olocausto possa coinvolgere Maggy che apre un'agenzia di modelle e giura di non dover mai più dipendere da un uomo. Cresce da sola la figlia Teddy che diventa la modella di riviste più famosa della sua epoca, ma che non riesce a colmare il vuoto della sua anima, almeno finché non incontra Mistral. Sua madre non le hai mai parlato di lui, ma Teddy come tutti, ha visto i quadri nei libri di arte e adesso si trova di fronte l'uomo, affascinante e potente. Il cerchio lo chiude Fauve, la nipote di Maggie, negli anni Settanta, che con caparbietà e disperazione, va in cerca delle sue radici che si intrecciano a doppio filo con la grande storia del Novecento.
L'azione si sposta negli Stati Uniti, prima che la seconda guerra mondiale ed il dramma dell'Olocausto possa coinvolgere Maggy che apre un'agenzia di modelle e giura di non dover mai più dipendere da un uomo. Cresce da sola la figlia Teddy che diventa la modella di riviste più famosa della sua epoca, ma che non riesce a colmare il vuoto della sua anima, almeno finché non incontra Mistral. Sua madre non le hai mai parlato di lui, ma Teddy come tutti, ha visto i quadri nei libri di arte e adesso si trova di fronte l'uomo, affascinante e potente. Il cerchio lo chiude Fauve, la nipote di Maggie, negli anni Settanta, che con caparbietà e disperazione, va in cerca delle sue radici che si intrecciano a doppio filo con la grande storia del Novecento.
May 10, 2018
A slow start but a strong finish
Had a hard time getting through the first big chunk of this tome. Although a central character, Mistral was a bit barbaric and one dimensional. The other early main character, Maggie, should have been interesting, but I couldn't connect with her or her scandalous pairing with Mistral--this plot line, though racy & raunchy enough, was a bit of a snooze. Still, I toiled on, hoping something would break. I was not to be disappointed. The Teddy character (Maggie's daughter) was dreamy and her storyline dramatic. The real payoff for pushing through this almost 600 page novel came with the Fauve character (Maggie's granddaughter and Teddy's daughter) and plot line. I felt that I could get more into Teddy's head than Fauve's, but Fauve's storyline, with the Mistral connection, her career at a modeling agency, her relationship with the now older Maggie, and her romantic relationship with Eric, kept the pace at brisk clip. Enjoyed the setting: New York City and France. The most interesting character in the book, the calculating and patient Kate Browning Mistral, was a minor but clever character. The ending did not disappoint.
Had a hard time getting through the first big chunk of this tome. Although a central character, Mistral was a bit barbaric and one dimensional. The other early main character, Maggie, should have been interesting, but I couldn't connect with her or her scandalous pairing with Mistral--this plot line, though racy & raunchy enough, was a bit of a snooze. Still, I toiled on, hoping something would break. I was not to be disappointed. The Teddy character (Maggie's daughter) was dreamy and her storyline dramatic. The real payoff for pushing through this almost 600 page novel came with the Fauve character (Maggie's granddaughter and Teddy's daughter) and plot line. I felt that I could get more into Teddy's head than Fauve's, but Fauve's storyline, with the Mistral connection, her career at a modeling agency, her relationship with the now older Maggie, and her romantic relationship with Eric, kept the pace at brisk clip. Enjoyed the setting: New York City and France. The most interesting character in the book, the calculating and patient Kate Browning Mistral, was a minor but clever character. The ending did not disappoint.
April 21, 2018
this was a worn looking find, probably at a garage sale or a charity shop. I found the characters very stereotypical, the heroines were good, the other women were bad, and the biggest jerk of them all was this man they all revolve around. It is long and sometimes the storyline got lost in the details. I think I may have liked it more if I read it when it came out, 35 years ago, when I was a lot younger.
February 1, 2013
I didn't quite finish this but I'll rate it anyway. I enjoyed Maggy, especially in her younger days, and I survived Teddy, but by the time we got to Fauve I didn't care anymore. (Ack, sorry, Miko!) It was fun escapism while it lasted, but in the end, maybe I prefer my fun escapism on the shorter side.
September 18, 2013
This was another one of my beloved books back in the days when growing up. (Well never managed to) ;)
Light read but great story. Have read this book at least twice. Later there was a mini series based on this which I loved as well.
Light read but great story. Have read this book at least twice. Later there was a mini series based on this which I loved as well.
May 10, 2011
One of my all-time favorites. I read it every few years.
January 22, 2016
I loved reading about the artists as people and enjoyed his daughter that " sees as an artist". Well done.
June 27, 2019
Recently re-read this book that I’d enjoyed so much when I was in high school. I fell in love with the south of France way back the -it’s no wonder I honeymooned in Cap d’ail
February 20, 2025
I remember watching the series starring Stacy Keach and Stephanie Powers and really wanted to compare this with the book. Really pleased that the dramatisation was true to Judith Krantz's writing.
The story centres around the artist, Julien Mistral, and the five women in his life.
The three Lunel women:
Maggy whom he meets when she is a teenager having run away following her parents deaths to start modelling. Her father died before he could marry her mother. She later becomes a hugely successful modelling agency owner in USA.
Teddy, Maggy's daughter, also born outside of marriage. Just like her mother, her father died before her parents could marry as his wife would not grant him a divorce. She too becomes a hugely successful model.
Fauve, Teddy's daughter by Mistral, also born outside of marriage as Mistral's wife refused to divorce him. She is sent to live with her grandmother Maggy in America following her mother's death in a boating accident.
Then there is Mistral's wife and daughter from his marriage:
Kate Browning later Kate Mistral. A cold and calculating American woman. She decides that she wants Mistral for herself and nothing will stop her. Mistral and Kate marry but he doesn't really love her.
Nadine Mistral later Nadine Dalmas. Mistral has little time for her haughty ways and she too marries but not really for love. She too has inherited her mother's selfish ways.
You really want to see the Lunel women succeed. They are three strong, focused and resilient characters, and you can't help but want them to achieve every success.
As for Kate Browning and Nadine Dalmas, you can't help but feel that everything bad that happens to them is well deserved. Just can't feel any empathy for these two characters at all.
Julien Mistral's true love was always Teddy and in turn this is why he truly loves his daughter Fauve and not Nadine, as Fauve was born out of love.
What he doesn't know is that Kate is the reason that his first love Maggy and daughter Fauve leave him, but he ensures that Fauve will inherit a great deal of his wealth instead of leaving everything to Nadine, much to Nadine's annoyance.
This book is ultimately about love and loss, and making amends for past mistakes and forgiveness.
I really, truly loved reading this book and would not hesitate in recommending this to anyone. Definitely worth devoting time to reading this.
The story centres around the artist, Julien Mistral, and the five women in his life.
The three Lunel women:
Maggy whom he meets when she is a teenager having run away following her parents deaths to start modelling. Her father died before he could marry her mother. She later becomes a hugely successful modelling agency owner in USA.
Teddy, Maggy's daughter, also born outside of marriage. Just like her mother, her father died before her parents could marry as his wife would not grant him a divorce. She too becomes a hugely successful model.
Fauve, Teddy's daughter by Mistral, also born outside of marriage as Mistral's wife refused to divorce him. She is sent to live with her grandmother Maggy in America following her mother's death in a boating accident.
Then there is Mistral's wife and daughter from his marriage:
Kate Browning later Kate Mistral. A cold and calculating American woman. She decides that she wants Mistral for herself and nothing will stop her. Mistral and Kate marry but he doesn't really love her.
Nadine Mistral later Nadine Dalmas. Mistral has little time for her haughty ways and she too marries but not really for love. She too has inherited her mother's selfish ways.
You really want to see the Lunel women succeed. They are three strong, focused and resilient characters, and you can't help but want them to achieve every success.
As for Kate Browning and Nadine Dalmas, you can't help but feel that everything bad that happens to them is well deserved. Just can't feel any empathy for these two characters at all.
Julien Mistral's true love was always Teddy and in turn this is why he truly loves his daughter Fauve and not Nadine, as Fauve was born out of love.
What he doesn't know is that Kate is the reason that his first love Maggy and daughter Fauve leave him, but he ensures that Fauve will inherit a great deal of his wealth instead of leaving everything to Nadine, much to Nadine's annoyance.
This book is ultimately about love and loss, and making amends for past mistakes and forgiveness.
I really, truly loved reading this book and would not hesitate in recommending this to anyone. Definitely worth devoting time to reading this.
August 2, 2019
Very flavouresque. Very picturesque.
Judith Krantz certaintly done her homework thoroughly to embed and weave the story according to art movements, historical events and fashion trends.
This is a story of 3 generations of Lunel's women whose lives intertwined with Julien Mistral, painter extraordinaire.
- Maggy, The Boss of biggest modelling agency in the world whose virginity deflowered by Mistral.
- Teddy, Mistral's one and only love. Primero Uno model of her time.
- Fauve, the daughter of Teddy and Mistral.
This is a masterpiece. Krantz wrote it in a combo style of memoir, historical fiction and 50's 70's contemporaries. Descriptions are rich and abundant. I felt transposed to Provence and her countryside. It reminded me of Comte de Provence later Louis XVIII King of France. I could visualised Montparnesse and La Tourello. I could connected to New York of this story. Even the thought and work of Mistral could be mentally captured. Whats more could I ask?
Mistral's refused to lend shelter to his jewish friends from Paris during Nazi Occupation. Then made friend with German Officer who admired his works and supplied him with tools necessary to produce to his art when those things impossible to have at that time. He didnt need to go to consciption also due to this friendship. This dark chapter came to the knowledge of Fauve by the instrument of Kate, Mistral's wife. That caused Fauve to severe all ties with Mistral. And later Mistral tried to atone his selfishness and mistake as reflected in his last series of painting.
I paid much attention to Maggy's thought regarding illigitimacy. Even that come in 2 categories, enfant naturel and enfant adulterine. The stigma of being one, have a child of that one and grand daughter of that. Unlike Teddy, Maggy decided to raise Fauve as grand and celebrated as possible. I love that. Mistral leaved inheritance worth 25 millions to Fauve and wish her to adopted his surname. My double love. At the end Fauve reunited with her first love Avigdor. Oh my triple love.
Judith Krantz certaintly done her homework thoroughly to embed and weave the story according to art movements, historical events and fashion trends.
This is a story of 3 generations of Lunel's women whose lives intertwined with Julien Mistral, painter extraordinaire.
- Maggy, The Boss of biggest modelling agency in the world whose virginity deflowered by Mistral.
- Teddy, Mistral's one and only love. Primero Uno model of her time.
- Fauve, the daughter of Teddy and Mistral.
This is a masterpiece. Krantz wrote it in a combo style of memoir, historical fiction and 50's 70's contemporaries. Descriptions are rich and abundant. I felt transposed to Provence and her countryside. It reminded me of Comte de Provence later Louis XVIII King of France. I could visualised Montparnesse and La Tourello. I could connected to New York of this story. Even the thought and work of Mistral could be mentally captured. Whats more could I ask?
Mistral's refused to lend shelter to his jewish friends from Paris during Nazi Occupation. Then made friend with German Officer who admired his works and supplied him with tools necessary to produce to his art when those things impossible to have at that time. He didnt need to go to consciption also due to this friendship. This dark chapter came to the knowledge of Fauve by the instrument of Kate, Mistral's wife. That caused Fauve to severe all ties with Mistral. And later Mistral tried to atone his selfishness and mistake as reflected in his last series of painting.
I paid much attention to Maggy's thought regarding illigitimacy. Even that come in 2 categories, enfant naturel and enfant adulterine. The stigma of being one, have a child of that one and grand daughter of that. Unlike Teddy, Maggy decided to raise Fauve as grand and celebrated as possible. I love that. Mistral leaved inheritance worth 25 millions to Fauve and wish her to adopted his surname. My double love. At the end Fauve reunited with her first love Avigdor. Oh my triple love.
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