MISTRAL'S DAUGHTER

by Judith Krantz ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 9, 1982

Three generations of gorgeous, red-haired, illegitimate women romp through France's bohemian art-scene and N.Y.'s glitzy fashion-model scene--in a moderately appealing saga that's short on drama (despite a couple of sudden deaths) and somewhat more subdued than Krantz's previous sex-and-gloss biggies (Scruples, Princess Daisy). Founder of this superstar dynasty is Maggy Lunel, who comes to 1925 Paris as a teenaged, virginal Jewish orphan from the provinces--and soon, under the tutelage of worldly restaurateur Paula, is a top artist's model, deflowered at last by charismatic, eccentric artist Julien Mistral. But, though Julien sort-of-loves Maggy, his artist's selfishness is total--and they part angrily: Julien weds rich American patroness Kate; Maggy becomes the adored mistress of tycoon Perry Kilkullen . . . who will give Maggy a lavish lifestyle, a child, a 1929 voyage to N.Y., but no marriage license. (His Catholic wife is adamant.) So, when Perry dies suddenly, with no will, Maggy and daughter Teddy are stranded in N.Y. with only a small fortune in jewels. And Maggy, determined never again to depend on a man, builds her own career--from dress-model to model-agency mastermind--as the focus shifts to redhead #2: Teddy, who gets thrown out of Wellesley circa 1949, becomes the top US model (with a tad of help from mum), and winds up on a location-shoot in France at . . . ? Where else? The chateau of famed painter Julien Mistral--who, in middle-aged doldrums, rediscovers love and art with the daughter of his long-ago mistress: they live in sin; daughter Fauve is born. But, when Teddy promptly dies in a boating accident, Fauve is raised by grandma Maggy. And, in the novel's final, most sluggish section, agency-executive Fauve (gorgeous, of course) comes to terms with her famous father in the 1970s: she learns about his shameful behavior during the war (turning away Jewish fugitives); she explores her own Jewish roots, with a French/Jewish lover; and she denies, then accepts, her fate--to be an isolated painter like Mistral (who leaves Fauve his masterpieces when he dies, to the chagrin of evil half-sister Nadine). As you might expect, the fashion-biz detail is a good deal more elaborate--and convincing--than the foggy art-history here. And only Maggy has a trace of real character. But, if more earnest (and less glittery) than the other Krantz glamour-areas, this five-decade soap has enough of the essential elements to keep the following satisfied: sexy sex (never unpleasant), superwoman heroines, and creature-comforts galore . . . with all their brand-names showing. * Because the publisher plans to ship books later this month, Mistral's Daughter will be receiving unusually early reviews.

Pub Date: Jan. 9, 1982

ISBN: 0553259172

Page Count: -

Publisher: Crown

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 1982

Categories: FICTION