Helpful Score: 2
One of the better chick lit books. Louise needs help -- in a passionless marriage, with no joy in her life, she turns to a book, then to the counsel of friends to find a way to live a life that is elegant -- elegant in that she feels accepted, desired and certain of her actions.
Helpful Score: 2
This book was about ten different books crammed into one storyline. While it was alright to read, it would have been better if the author chose just one story line and developed that. Found myself confused about the time line (does this take place over the course of weeks, months, years?) and didn't really like the main character all that much. Book left readers to do a lot of assuming about characters and the relationships with one another. Not one of those books that you finish and give a second thought to.
Helpful Score: 1
Finally! A chic lit genre story with some intellect.
Helpful Score: 1
Want to find the answers to life in a second hand bookstore - Elegance did that for Louise Canova. Small servings of angst, laughter, lively mishaps, intimate details, voyeurs in a lingerie store fitting room, English country weekends all come together to take life down a new turn. Classic? Standards that never change - nice to know that some things never do.
Helpful Score: 1
An enjoyable chick lit read, I finished it in just a couple of hours. More bad language than I prefer, but I was pleased to find that unlike most chick lit, there was no sex in this book at all.
Helpful Score: 1
This finely wrought debut novel tells a Cinderella story of sorts about an unhappy thirtysomething woman who manages to turn her disastrous life around. Louise Canova hails from Pittsburgh but is currently living in London with her actor husband. Louise has severe self-esteem problems, a budding eating disorder, a complete lack of interest in any activity, and a growing sense that something isn't right with her marriage. One day, while browsing in a used bookstore, she comes across a style manual entitled Elegance, penned by a doyenne of Parisian style and grace. Captivated by the advice in the book, Louise begins to dress better (no more Birkenstocks and shapeless dresses), work out regularly, and sleep less, and she seeks more attention and respect from her husband. Tessaro is a skillful writer, and in her capable hands this subject receives the respect it deserves, with dark undertones from Louise's past rearing up unexpectedly throughout the story. Readers will enjoy following this harrowing journey of self-discovery, renewal, and reinvention to its uplifting conclusion.
Helpful Score: 1
Louise is a 32 year old living in London with a closet full of shapeless brown garments, romance-free marriage and a job where nobody even notices she exists. One day at a second-hand book store she finds a volume entitled Elegance and decides to regain control of her life.
I don't keep books. In fact, I've decided to read everything in my book case and not buy anything new unless the library doesn't have what I want. And on the rare occasion that I do decide to keep a book it's because I've absolutely fallen in love with it. Guess what, about 3/4 of the way through I knew that this one is a keeper.
It hit all the right notes with its combination of humor and sadness, realism, insightfulness and beautiful writing. The language fit with the story, the characters were alive and relatable, Louise's best friends felt like your own best friends, when she succeeded to cheer and in the end it left me with a smile on my face. What can be better?
Read my other reviews at bibliophilescorner.blogspot.com
I don't keep books. In fact, I've decided to read everything in my book case and not buy anything new unless the library doesn't have what I want. And on the rare occasion that I do decide to keep a book it's because I've absolutely fallen in love with it. Guess what, about 3/4 of the way through I knew that this one is a keeper.
It hit all the right notes with its combination of humor and sadness, realism, insightfulness and beautiful writing. The language fit with the story, the characters were alive and relatable, Louise's best friends felt like your own best friends, when she succeeded to cheer and in the end it left me with a smile on my face. What can be better?
Read my other reviews at bibliophilescorner.blogspot.com
Cute story- sort of fizzled at the end-
This is such a cute story- and Elizabeth McGovern narrates it GREAT!
Alot of fun for a long ride in the car-
These are CD's not audio cassettes.
Alot of fun for a long ride in the car-
These are CD's not audio cassettes.
pleasant/pleasing book about a woman searching for her personal style as she reshapes her life following a divorce, well written, slightly shallow, but fun
Loved this character! A fun book.
Bridget Jones gets a makeover.
Unhappy with her life, Louise Canova picks up a used out of print copy of Elegance, an A to Z manual from a French fashion expert, Madame Dariaux. Fabulous read!
So cute and I love how Tessaro involved a real etiquette book that I HAD to wishlist once I had finished this one!
Absolutely loved this book! I read it in a couple of hours. I could not stop the reading. It is a British Chick Lit and very usual. I was ready to find the Elegance.
From the back cover: Audrey Hepburn had it. Grace Kelly had it. Louise Canova does not. Elegance, that is. Nor does she have the answers to get her life, looks or marriage back on track. Then one day she discovers a faded hardback in a second-hand book shop. 'Elegance', an A-Z of style.............
Nice beach or holiday read.
A Cinderella story of sorts about an unhappy thirtysomething woman who manages to turn her disastrous life around. Louise Canova hails from Pittsburgh but is currently living in London with her actor husband. Louise has severe self-esteem problems, a budding eating disorder, a complete lack of interest in any activity, and a growing sense that something isn't right with her marriage. One day, while browsing in a used bookstore, she comes across a style manual entitled Elegance, penned by a doyenne of Parisian style and grace. Captivated by the advice in the book, Louise begins to dress better (no more Birkenstocks and shapeless dresses), work out regularly, and sleep less, and she seeks more attention and respect from her husband.
You must read the book to learn more.
You must read the book to learn more.
