The Courtesan’s Daughter by Susanne DunlapMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
The first book of Susanne Dunlap’s that I read was The Portraitist, which was a richly detailed look at the life of Adelaide Labille-Guiard, one of the few female portrait artists who rose to prominence in France around the time of the French Revolution. (See my full review at https://temafrank.com/book-review-the…). Like that book, the Courtesan’s Daughter also profiles women who defied the norms. It is a parallel look at the lives of former Parisian courtesan, Justine, who fled to New York and a low-key life as a seamstress in the early 1900s, and her teenage daughter, Sylvie. Justine has been pushing the smart and beautiful Sylvie to focus on her education, with the aim of becoming a teacher, but Sylvie longs to become a cinema star. In alternating chapters we get the perspectives of both women, each of whom is hiding secrets from the other. The plot is full of twists and turns as Justine’s past comes back to haunt her and as Sylvie’s pursuit of her dream gets her into ever-deeper trouble.
Unfortunately, this book didn’t seem nearly as nuanced and layered as The Portraitist. The hot water Sylvie lands in through questionable choices was simply too predictable, and at times I felt that the plot relied too heavily on coincidences. Although it was strongly telegraphed, I did like the gradual development of Justine’s relationship with Mr. Silverstein, the businessman for whom she has been sewing shirtwaists for years, and who takes an avuncular interest in the welfare of the two women.
If you are looking for an entertaining, easy read that gives you a flavor of life in the New York immigrant world of the early 1900s and an introduction to the early days of cinema, you will likely enjoy this book.
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