The book chronicles her journey from a young girl with an uncertain future to becoming a global sensation. She discusses her early years in Paris, her tumultuous childhood, and her decision to pursue a career in the theater, despite her mother’s initial objections. Throughout her career, Bernhardt took on legendary roles in plays by Shakespeare, Racine, and Dumas, earning the title "The Divine Sarah" for her powerful performances. She also delves into the complexities of maintaining her pr...

A young singer is taken up by Paris, made an idol, and then dropped — a novel about fame written by the woman who had more of it than anyone alive. Bernhardt was the Divine Sarah: she slept in a coffin, kept a cheetah, toured America nine times, had a leg amputated at seventy and went on acting. She knew exactly what a public does to the person it adores, and this book says so.

My mother was fond of travelling: she would go from Spain to England, from London to Paris, from Paris to Berlin, and from there to Christiania; then she would come back, embrace me, and set out again for Holland, her native country. She used to send my nurse clothing for herself and cakes for me. To one of my aunts she would write: "Look after little Sarah; I shall return in a month's time." A month later she would write to another of her sisters: "Go and see the child at her nurse's; I s...

The fantastic memoirs of one of the most famous actresses in history, French stage and early film actress Sarah Bernhardt.

My Double Life is the autobiography of the French actress Sarah Bernhardt, who was internationally famed during her lifetime and afterwards as one of the classical theater's all-time greatest stars. Bernhardt's memoirs are composed with a novelist's (or actress's) sense of artistry and suspense that leaves no doubt of the charisma for which she was famed in her "double life, " both on- and offstage. Yet at the same time as this book very consciously contributes to the crafting of her image...

In this autobiography, Bernhardt shares her life story, recounting her experiences, rise to fame, and her remarkable career as a stage actress. Known for her exceptional talent and dramatic performances, Sarah Bernhardt was one of the most celebrated actresses of her time."The Idol of Paris" offers insights into Bernhardt's personal life, her struggles, triumphs, and the challenges she faced as a woman in the entertainment industry during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Her memoir ...

My mother was fond of traveling: she would go from Spain to England, from London to Paris, from Paris to Berlin, and from there to Christiania; then she would come back, embrace me, and set out again for Holland, her native country. She used to send my nurse clothing for herself and cakes for me. To one of my aunts she would write: “Look after little Sarah; I shall return in a month’s time.” A month later she would write to another of her sisters: “Go and see the child at her nurse’s; I sh...

In this memoir, Bernhardt reflects on her early years, including her childhood in Paris and her journey to becoming one of the most celebrated actresses of her time. She shares her experiences in various theaters, her relationships with influential playwrights and actors, and the challenges she faced as a woman in a predominantly male-dominated profession. Bernhardt's passion for acting and her dedication to her craft shine through as she discusses her roles in famous plays, including Haml...

In the dining-room of a fine house on the Boulevard Raspail all the Darbois family were gathered together about the round table, on which a white oil cloth bordered with gold-medallioned portraits of the line of French kings served as table cover at family meals. The Darbois family consisted of François Darbois, professor of philosophy, a scholar of eminence and distinction; of Madame Darbois, his wife, a charming gentle little creature, without any pretentions; of Philippe Renaud, brother...

My mother was fond of traveling: she would go from Spain to England, from London to Paris, from Paris to Berlin, and from there to Christiania; then she would come back, embrace me, and set out again for Holland, her native country. She used to send my nurse clothing for herself and cakes for me. To one of my aunts she would write: “Look after little Sarah; I shall return in a month’s time.” A month later she would write to another of her sisters: “Go and see the child at her nurse’s; I sh...

In "The Idol of Paris," Sarah Bernhardt, the illustrious French actress known as "the Divine Sarah," immerses readers in the vibrant world of theatrical performance at the turn of the 20th century. Through a blend of autobiographical reflections and captivating storytelling, Bernhardt illustrates her rise to fame against a backdrop of Parisian cultural and artistic movements. The prose is both lyrical and evocative, mirroring the intense emotions of the characters she portrays while offeri...

In "The Idol of Paris," Sarah Bernhardt, the illustrious French actress known as "the Divine Sarah," immerses readers in the vibrant world of theatrical performance at the turn of the 20th century. Through a blend of autobiographical reflections and captivating storytelling, Bernhardt illustrates her rise to fame against a backdrop of Parisian cultural and artistic movements. The prose is both lyrical and evocative, mirroring the intense emotions of the characters she portrays while offeri...