Joan Mackenzie: Girl A and The Chanel Sisters

Girl A by Abigail DeanThis is a novel loosely based on the story of the Turpin family whom you might recall from a few years ago when they were found to have imprisoned, neglected and abused their many children in a suburban house in California. One of them managed to escape and alerted the authorities. In this book, one of the siblings also escapes and the kids are freed – but it starts after the death of their mother, and Lex, the eldest daughter, starts confronting what happened to them and the way in which it’s impacted on her own life. Getting huge coverage overseas and there’s a lot of buzz about it. It’s a very good thriller-esque read.The Chanel Sisters by Judithe LittleA fictionalised account of the story of Antoinette and Gabrielle (who came to be known as Coco) Chanel; from their beginnings growing up in an orphanage after their mother died and their father was busy philandering – and rose from that to become major figures in the world of fashion and style but their lives were disrupted with the advent of the first world war. Interesting mix of history, biography and very good storytelling.LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.