Elegance - Hardcover

Tessaro, Kathleen

3.43

5,173 ratings by Goodreads

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 000715142X ISBN 13: 9780007151424

Publisher: HarperCollins, 2003

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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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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

From the Author:

Several years ago now, I had the good fortune to stumble across an extroadinary book in a second-hand bookshop entitled Elegance by Genevieve Antoine Dariaux. Years later, when I decided to write a book myself, it became the guiding inspiration for this novel.

By generous permission of the original author, I have been allowed to use a selection of the original headings and have adapted them to suit my story. (Only the entry for B for Beauty remains wholly my own.) However, much of the tone and certainly the most brilliant gems of advice belong entirely to Madame Antoine Dariaux herself.

It is with enormous gratitude that I wish to acknowledge her contributions to this book and to thank her for being both my muse and the touchstone of all that is elegant for these past two and a half years. She is, I can assure you, even more gracious and enchanting in person than her wonderful words of wisdom reveal.

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