One of the most exciting debuts of the year--an enchanting, bittersweet novel for every woman who has ever longed for a fairy godmother Louise Canova should be happy and in love. But her actor-husband seems to be growing distant and she doesn't know why. Is it her fault? Riddled with uncertainty, the insecurity she thought she'd left behind in adolescence comes back to haunt her. But when she discovers a faded volume entitled "Elegance" in a second-hand bookshop, she believes she's found the answers. Written by the ...
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One of the most exciting debuts of the year--an enchanting, bittersweet novel for every woman who has ever longed for a fairy godmother Louise Canova should be happy and in love. But her actor-husband seems to be growing distant and she doesn't know why. Is it her fault? Riddled with uncertainty, the insecurity she thought she'd left behind in adolescence comes back to haunt her. But when she discovers a faded volume entitled "Elegance" in a second-hand bookshop, she believes she's found the answers. Written by the formidable French fashion expert, Madame Dariaux, "Elegance" is an encyclopedia of style that promises to transform plain women into creatures of grace and poise at all times. And from Accessories to Zippers, there's nothing Madame can't advise upon--including inattentive husbands, false friends, and the absolute importance of good quality, seductive lingerie. Louise vows to follow Madame's advice but the lessons she learns have a surprising effect and an outcome she never expected. Within its pages lie clues to her past. And as she begins to unravel them, she discovers that everything, even elegance, has its price. Starting with A and finishing with Z. Elegance is a unique alphabetical journey of timeless fashion, true friendship, and the rare, unexpected gift of love.
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Louise Canova is unhappy with her life. Then she finds a 40-year-old encyclopedia of style titled ?Elegance?, by French fashion expert Madame Genevieve Antoine Dariaux. In her novel, based on this actual book, Ms. Tessaro gives us a heroine that we might recognize all too well.
Madame Dariaux?s book has a dramatic impact on Louise?s life. The experience of discovery is one that will be familiar to many book lovers.
Excerpt:
It was a slim, gray volume entitled ?Elegance?. Longer and thinner than the other books on the shelf, it rose above its modest surroundings with a disdainful authority, the embossed letters of its title sparkling against the silver satin cover like a glittering gold coin just below the surface of a rushing brook.
My husband claims I have an unhealthy obsession with secondhand bookshops. But either you intrinsically understand the attraction of searching for hidden treasure amongst rows of dusty shelves or you don?t; it?s a passion, bordering on a spiritual illness, which cannot be explained to the unafflicted.
End of excerpt.
The ups and downs Louise goes through as she tries to change her style and the challenge of being truly ?elegant? are inspiring and frustrating to read. Is becoming an elegant lady as easy as it seems or is it too overwhelming?
