The House of Gucci ★★★☆☆

The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed (Click Here To Buy)

★★★☆☆

The House of Gucci: A Sensational Story of Murder, Madness, Glamour, and Greed by Sara Gay Forden is a non-fiction book about the history of the Gucci brand.

I read this as an audiobook checked out from the library in preparation for the movie with Lady Gaga and Adam Driver that will be released next week.

The Gucci brand was born from the mind of Guccio Gucci who started by making luggage in Florence in 1921. Three generations later, his grandson, Maurizio, fell in love with Patrizia to his father's disapproval and eventually took control of the company. The couple lived lavishly until Maurizio's mismanagement, excessive spending, and desire for control drove them apart. Patrizia was simply not having that, so she had him killed. And then she went to jail for 16 years. This actually happened. In the end, the family lost control of the brand to an outside investment firm, who continued to grow Gucci into a luxury brand thanks largely to edgy designer Tom Ford.

This book really had a lot of potential. I mean the murder part of the story is fascinating, as is learning about the beginnings of Gucci. Where the book lost me was when it started talking about shares and ownership - maybe hardcore fashion/stock people would be into that but I'm just here for the murder - and also the movie.

If you liked The House of Gucci, I also recommend Killers of the Flower Moon by Davin Grann, The Autobiography of Gucci Mane by Gucci Mane, Beautiful Things by Hunter Biden, and Shoe Dog by Phil Knight.

Happy reading -

Ms.Bjork