My Review of “The It Girls” by Karen Harper

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GOODREADS BLURB

The It Girls

byKaren Harper(Goodreads Author)

From New York Times bestselling author Karen Harper comes a novel based on the lives of two amazing sisters . . .

One sailed the Titanic and started a fashion empire . . .

The other overtook Hollywood and scandalized the world . . .

Together, they were unstoppable.

They rose from genteel poverty, two beautiful sisters, ambitious, witty, seductive. Elinor and Lucy Sutherland are at once each other’s fiercest supporters and most vicious critics.

Lucy transformed herself into Lucile, the daring fashion designer who revolutionized the industry with her flirtatious gowns and brazen self-promotion. And when she married Sir Cosmo Duff-Gordon her life seemed to be a fairy tale. But success came at many costs—to her marriage and to her children . . . and then came the fateful night of April 14, 1912 and the scandal that followed.

Elinor’s novels titillate readers, and it’s even asked in polite drawing rooms if you would like to “sin with Elinor Glyn?” Her work pushes the boundaries of what’s acceptable; her foray into the glittering new world of Hollywood turns her into a world-wide phenomenon. But although she writes of passion, the true love she longs for eludes her.

But despite quarrels and misunderstandings, distance and destiny, there is no bond stronger than that of the two sisters—confidants, friends, rivals and the two “It Girls” of their day. (less)

Paperback, 384 pages
Expected publication: October 24th 2017 by William Morrow Paperbacks
ISBN
0062567772 (ISBN13: 9780062567772)
Edition Language
English
 MY REVIEW OF ‘THE IT GIRLS” by Karen Harper
“The It Girls” by Karen Harper is an intriguing account of how fiction and history can work in a novel. The genres for this novel are Historical Fiction, Women’s Fiction, and Fiction. The timeline for this story is  set from 1875, and goes into the twentieth century after The Great War or World War 1, and then some years after. The location of this story vacillates between Europe,(England, Paris, France,Scotland) and the United States.
The author describes the two sisters that represent the “It Girls” as complex, complicated and competitive. There are a cast of characters that are quirky, colorful, betraying, disloyal, and  some  friends and family that are loving and loyal.   Elinor and Lucy Sutherland are ambitious, creative, self-centered and adventurous. Both sisters, even as young girls looked for ways to be creative and seek adventure. Lucy’s dreams were to design fabulous dresses and Elinor aspired to be a writer.
The author takes the reader on a journey through the historical times, and acceptable traditions, with the two sisters. Both women have highs and lows in their careers as well as in their love lives.  One of the sisters is aboard the Titanic and survives, when the ship sinks. One sister escapes being abducted. The author shows us the times in Europe during World War 1, and how the sisters  provided help.
The author portrays the glamorous and wealthy lifestyle of famous people, set against the backdrop of history.   Wealth and success  and their careers were very important to the sisters, often causing complications with their family.
I appreciate the author’s extensive historical research into the characters and the times.
I would recommend this novel for those readers that appreciate Historical Fiction.
I received an ARC of this book for my honest review.

2 comments on “My Review of “The It Girls” by Karen Harper”

  1. I couldn’t even get through this book. I can’t say I have read this author before, but was surprised to find out she is a best-selling author. The dialogue is stilted, the perspective switches back-and-forth so quickly I couldn’t keep track of characters, and after 45 pages, did not care about the fate of any character. Is this an example of her normal writing?

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