The Chameleon

This book would make a GREAT mini-series. I can't put it down. The writing and tale-spinning of this novel pull you in and make the characters come alive. This is one of the best books that I have read in a long time. Buy it! You won't be sorry.

Claire grew up in Marshall Field's department store with 3 mothers and helped cater to the rich. Borrowing a gown she goes to a elegant party and falls in love and quickly marries. She soon learns that she has to use all her wits and smarts to come out ahead. Claire has to keep changeing roles or reinventing herself to just keep surviving. She's a young military wife, a voice to be heard in politics, a hollywood player, and a mother. A lot of past history is thrown in this story, WW II, civil rights, and the rights of woman. Enjoy this incredible journey.

I'm an avid reader (40 books already to date this year) and I picked up Sugar's book, because I know that she is a beautiful socialite in Chicago....Little did I know about her incredible writing abilities. This is the first book I've read by Ms. Rautbord, and it won't be the last. Following one of her main characters, Claire, from birth to old age is wonderful. There are many life lessons intertwined throughout the novel that we all can relate to....several colorful characters as well. Just when you think you have something figured out, the story line changes! Thanks Sugar for some very stimulating reading!

I hesitated for a while in purchasing this book because I was really burnt by the sour "Sweet Revenge" after the fabulous debut of "Girls in High Places" but now that I've read "The Chameleon" I'll really miss the great characters I've grown to love in this book which now ranks as one of my all-time favorites. Sugar has certainly tapped into the romance/fiction market here with aplomb. Claire Harrison Duccio Lefkowitz Grant, the noble heroine, is like a Forrest Gump with smarts and connections. Her saga is filled with meeting all the right people at the right time with everyone from the likes of Shirley Temple to Eleanor Roosevelt to Lana Turner and more peppered in to make her story more intriguing and life-like. Born at Marshall Fields and conjointly and lovingly raised by her mother and two "aunties" the stories combine a sisters are doing it for themselves backdrop with some good old fashioned love of life pining romance. The tragedies and triumphs of the ultimate survivor, Claire Harrison etc. etc., make for a most enjoyable read, daring anyone not to put it down till the very end.

Sugar's new book is a wonderful peek into the lives of the rich and famous. I loved all the historical details and the descriptions of the parties, clothes, jewelry and homes.This book kept me up many nights. A must read for anyone who loves history and romance. Of course, being from Chicago, made it even more exciting as the descriptions of Marshall Field's in the 20's, 30's and 40's came to life.