- Hardcover: 384 pages
- Publisher: HarperCollins; First Edition edition (2 Jun 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 000715142X
- ISBN-13: 978-0007151424
- Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 13.2 x 4.2 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 497,674 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Elegance
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Product Description
Review
‘Ultra-smart and classily edgy, this is the glitz novel brought up to date." SUNDAY TIMES
"This debut novel is the perfect summer read – as delightfully fruity as a glass of Pimm's and with a similar kick, one that catches you unawares." DAILY MAIL
‘funny, charming and a certain bestseller.‘ IN STYLE
'a perfect pick-me-up' COSMOPOLITAN
‘This is a book all women will identify with, and you’ll adore Louise, who’s every bit as charmingly neurotic and nutty as Bridget Jones.’ GLAMOUR
‘A brilliant read with fashion advice thrown in!’ NEW WOMAN
‘an irresistible love story and self-help manual rolled into one.’ ELLE
"It's surprising that this is Kathleen Tessaro's first novel as her style shows the confidence and ease of a more seasoned writer… A charming, entertaining novel." PUNCH
‘a fantastic book… funny, moving and most importantly its tongue is firmly planted in its cheek regarding fashion. Enjoy!’ Cat Deeley
Product Description
An enchanting novel brimming with poignancy, humour, enchantment and insight, this is a stunning debut. Imagine an Audrey Hepburn film in the present day…
It was a slim, grey volume entitled Elegance…
Louise Canova is at a crossroads in her life. Her marriage is faltering and the insecurities of adolescence have returned to haunt her. Browsing in a second-hand bookshop, she stumbles across a faded grey volume. Written by the formidable French fashion expert, Madame Genevieve Antoine Dariaux, Elegance is an encyclopedia of style. It promises to transform plain women into creatures of poise at all times. And from Accessories to Zippers, there is nothing that Madame Dariaux can’t advise upon – including inattentive husbands, false friends, and the powerful bond between mothers and daughters.
When Louise vows to follow Madame’s advice, her life is transformed in ways she never imagined. Within the book’s pages lie clues to her own past. And as she begins to unravel them, she discovers a courage she never dreamt possible.
However, everything, even elegance, has its price.
Starting with A and finishing with Z, Elegance is a unique journey of timeless fashion, true friendship, and the rare, unexpected gift of love.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
35 of 37 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This books begins with a great premise, and is based on a great idea and from the start, is written very well, with the central character giving you lots of reasons to empathise, sympathise and generally care about her.
This feeling disappears the more you get into the book - you begin to wonder if the author somehow lost sight of the character she wanted to create and turns her into a hapless Bridget Jones-type (the kind of characters I am so tired of reading) and you begin to care less and less about what she does or thinks.
The middle and the end of the book seem to lack a lot of direction and structure - which were very strong at the beginning of the book.
I confess to skipping through the last few chapters, skim-reading just to get to the end - but was very disappointed by the end, especially because it had begun so strongly.
Borrow a copy, I don't think it's worth buying.
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I didn't intend to be finishing this at four in the morning, but it turned out to be a bit tricky to put down. I loved this, mostly because it surprised me with wit. The characters and commentary are beautifully observed. I can't believe it's a first novel.
"The English are a club not even the English can get into."
"The English are a club not even the English can get into."
The first person narrator works very well and the idea of the book found in a bookstore - complete with exerpts from the real thing reminded me of the kind of books I used to want to find - those with a wisdom and grace I don't see much any more. It's a lovely idea. I bought this for my wife, and I know she'll love it and enjoy the rules of elegance as much as the main story.
This has class.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is excellent! I could hardly put it down. Although, it's got emotional ups and downs in the middle bit, but in general it is a very charming story and a cute happy ending. I love it, I can read it all over again!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
charming and cringeworthy in equal measure
I am always enamoured of rags to riches/ugly duckling to beautiful swan stories ever since I was given Lucy Brown's Schooldays (Dorothy Vicary, 1951) as a girl; lumpy, plain,... Read more
Published 9 months ago by H. M. Anderson
A pleasant read.
I did enjoy reading this book, it had a coherent story with a begining a middle and an end. However I didn't think that it was up to the standard of `The Debutant' which I found a... Read more
Published 10 months ago by christie
Elegance
I really wanted to enjoy this book. The summary pretty much sold it to me - a girl who finds a book about the art of elegance and the journey she takes afterwards. Read more
Published 14 months ago by TeaLover
Could have been great but...
Meet Louise, an American girl, once an aspiring actress, now a cashier at a theatre, living in London, married to an Englishman, also an actor with a promising and rising career. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Dimitra C
Elegance: you either have it or you don't (I don't)
Louise Canova's life isn't really going to plan. Trapped in an affectionless marriage, her career is up the spout, she can't shed that extra ten pounds (to the extent people assume... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Nicola F (Nic)
not recommended
I unfortunately didn't enjoy this book. As some other reviewers have remarked, the opening chapters are promising and we get a glimpse at what could potentially develop into... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Clementine
Fantastic; a very addictive read.
This book is simply fanstastic! It is one of the few books that I have been unable to put down, and I spent the first week of my summer holidays leafing through the pages. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Beckie-Leanne
A Feel-Good Treat
Elegance
I picked up this book because the cover is by an old colleague of mine at Vogue - the incredibly talented Martin Welch, who drew me an engagement card which I... Read more
I picked up this book because the cover is by an old colleague of mine at Vogue - the incredibly talented Martin Welch, who drew me an engagement card which I... Read more
Published on 17 Mar 2009 by J. M. Young
True Elegance...
Elegance was an enthralling can't-put-down-book that had me hooked from the start. An excellent read that I would recommend to any woman. :)
Published on 9 Feb 2009 by Mrs. Tina Watson
But you're beautiful Miss Jones!
Sweet, totally predictable and utterly forgettable, yet fun in that ugly duckling turns into a swan way that good chicklit does so well.
Published on 24 Aug 2008 by Annabel Gaskell
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