Coco at the Ritz

“Biographer and novelist Diliberto offers a taut and surprising portrayal of French fashion designer Coco Chanel, focusing on her interrogation for suspected treason against France. From the opaque historical record emerges a satisfying take on a complicated woman.” * Publishers Weekly *
“Gioia Diliberto expertly frees Coco Chanel from the bonds of legend and introduces us to the complex life of a dynamic woman. An intriguing romp through Chanel’s fascinating life, a glitzy view of Paris and a powerful narrative about the little-known arrest of Coco Chanel at the end of WWII. With an intriguing author note and impeccable research, I devoured Coco at the Ritz. For book clubs, lovers of historical fiction and fans of Marie Benedict, here is the book you were waiting for!” – Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author of Becoming Mrs. Lewis
“I was captivated by Diliberto’s unfolding character portrayal of Coco Chanel as she maneuvers her way through the frightening landscape of Nazi-occupied Paris. Coco [at the Ritz] is a chilling tale of ambition, betrayal and accommodation, one that lingers in the mind well after the last page.” – Nancy Horan, New York Times bestselling author of Loving Frank
“Biographer and novelist Diliberto uses the scant pieces of historical evidence about Coco’s wartime years to imagine her personal and professional motivations, offering glimpses into her childhood and rise from poverty to fashion royalty and her deep need for male companionship. Diliberto reveals that Coco’s complex temperament and intricate web of relationships defy easy categorization. Recommend to fans of Melanie Benjamin and Jennifer Chiaverini.” * Booklist *
“This fascinating book takes a closer look at Chanel, her powerful personality, and her activities during the occupation of France. It shows us a side of Chanel’s personality we may not have known before, and we meet a complex woman who was talented and powerful, but also vain and manipulative. Highly recommended.” * Historical Novels Review *
“Set during the most controversial period of Coco Chanel’s life, Coco at the Ritz is a potent historical novel whose opportunistic heroine contends with fear, longing, and a treacherous love.” * Foreword Reviews *

Gioia Diliberto has written biographies of Jane Addams, Hadley Hemingway, Diane von Furstenberg, and Brenda Frazier, as well as the critically acclaimed novels I Am Madame X and The Collection. Her books, which center on the lives of women, have been translated into several languages. As a journalist, Gioia has contributed to many publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, The Chicago Tribune, Smithsonian, and Vanity Fair. She also teaches writing and has taught at Northwestern and DePaul Universities and the Savannah College of Art and Design. Gioia lives with her husband in Woodbury, Connecticut.

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