"Elegance" book rave

I apologize if this has been discussed on af previously, but I'm currently
reading "Elegance" by Kathleen Tessaro. It's a fabulous af read, perfect for
summer beach blanket, airplane, or patio reading. It takes place in London and
the heroine, Louise, is sort of a grown up Becky Bloomwood. She finds a book
called "Elegance" in a second hand bookstore. It's a 40 year old encyclopedia
of style that she uses to remake her life. I'm about halfway through and don't
know if she succeeds (I wouldn't dream of giving the ending away, even if I
knew). But what is really cool is that the original "Elegance" book is going to
be reissued and available on Amazon in August. Looks like I'll be lemming it, a
girl can't have too much elegance in her life.
Sandra in PA

Sandra––thank you so much for posting about this book! I will definitely
put it on my "need to check it out before I hit the airplane" list!
Leilani


"EatWelBWel" <eatwelb...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20040621235538.25456.00000...@mb–m29.aol.com...
for
and
book
encyclopedia
don't
I going to
it, a

Leilani––I think you'll love it! In fact, it's very well written for chick
lit...it's chic lit.
Sandra

And the cover is stunning! That's what attracted me to it in the first place!
Sandra

EatWelBWel wrote:
Thanks for posting this! The original _Elegance_, and its sequel
_Entertaining_with_Elegance_ have been part of my small collection of
mid century fashion advice books for years – they really are a fun to
read. Now I'll have to look for this new one to go with my collection!
Nadya

Leilani wrote:
My thanks to you too––I need something like that for a long trip as well!
LW

"Leilani" <v942–t...@dea.spamcon.org> wrote in message
news:2jpp26F13sta...@uni–berlin.de...

Adding "Elegance" to my book list.
Very enjoyable reading the book recommendations as well as others in this
newsgroup!
Carol

Ouch, actually the only parts of the book I enjoyed were the excerpts
fromt he original "Elegance" books!!! The rest I found a bit...well
boring and uninteresting, really. I wanted to shake that woman out of
her dullness :)
V.

<< Ouch, actually the only parts of the book I enjoyed were the excerpts
fromt he original "Elegance" books!!! The rest I found a bit...well
boring and uninteresting, really. I wanted to shake that woman out of
her dullness :)
V.
i was debating whether to burst everyone's bubble. thanks for doing it for me.
i was extremely disappointed in this book. my best friend was, as well. so
beware, girls. i was just as or even more excited about it when i first read
about it in Bazarre several months ago (last year, maybe?). it was not worth
the wait. i strongly suggest giving it a good skim in the bookstore before
handing over a payment.

Everyone's entitled to their own opinion. I've just finished it, and thought it
was sweet and charming. Not a firecracker like the Shopaholic books (which I
loved) but it had a message all it's own.
As with anything on af...YMMV.
Sandra in PA

It's not a happy–go–lucky read by any means–in fact, parts are down right
painful to read because the character goes through some intense situations in
her life. But I did really like it. I'd call it "serious chick lit".

I thought the book was reasonably enjoyable. However, I didn't know
that the "Elegance" book the protagonist was reading was real (guess I
didn't read the stuff in the front?)
Now I don't know what to think.
T.

i picked this up in an airport bookstore recently and just read it.
if anyone wants to swap for it, my MUA username is meow–mix.
––
robyn
robynew <at> yahoo <dot> com

"JJones4519" <jjones4...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20040622111037.12089.00000...@mb–m01.aol.com...
excerpts
for me.
well. so
first read
worth
before
We need to start a book exchange. So many of these books are quick
reads but not keepers. One of my children ordered drink book Trilby
mentioned earlier in the week. I can't remember the title but when I saw
the post, I knew my child would want the book.

"EatWelBWel" <eatwelb...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20040622121555.15872.00000...@mb–m21.aol.com...
thought it
I I thought it was charming, interesting and competently written. Much
high quality than any of the Red Dress book, for instance, and I have
urged Trilby to read it and Trilby in ABD in English!
––AJ

ahmward wrote:
Ha! That was "Tipsy in Madras." It's actually pretty funny and has good
drink recipes, so I am pleased and proud to endorse it.
I've read the original "Elegance" book and adore it, although it is
quite the period piece. But that's a major part of the appeal, as far as
I'm concerned.
I'm figuring on checking out the new Elegance at the library. I'm trying
to do that more frequently, as I don't want to clutter up my house with
read–once–and–forget–them novels. I'd be happy to sign up for the AF
book exchange.
Priscilla
–––
p...@midway.uchicago.edu "Here comes the most beautiful woman in
puppetland!"

I also love the original Genevieve Dariaux _Elegance_, which I bought
for less than $10 on eBay years ago –– I'm shocked at the prices it's
going for now. I'm glad that they're reissuing it.
I didn't like the novel _Elegance_ as much as I'd hoped (the story was
a little disjointed, which I think was probably a function of the
author's trying to get match the "theme" of each chapter heading).
I'm happy to send my copy (of the novel, not the Dariaux book!) to
anyone who'd like it.

triannadun...@hotmail.com (TdN) wrote in message news:<314a4ba6.0406222011.269be...@posting.google.com>...
The Publishers Weekly review posted at Amazon says the following:
"Everything changes, however, when Louise discovers Elegance, a
fashion guide from 1964 written by Genevieve Dariaux, a legendary (and
fictional) Coco Chanel–like arbiter of taste."
I wonder in what sense they meant "fictional".

I wonder if PW was clueless about the origin of the book and was not aware
Madame Dariaux was a real French fashionista. She was still around when the
novel was published and I bet we'll hear more about her with the reissue of her
book.
Sandra in PA

kagoyah...@hotmail.com (kagoyahime) wrote in message news:<1f07d4f6.0406230706.753aa...@posting.google.com>...
I bet the reviewer was as clueless as I that Mme. Dariaux actually
exist(s?) (–ed?)
I am a writer, book reviewer, and former librarian and I'd never heard
of her. Also, her Library of Congress information is under
"Antoine–Dariaux" instead of "Dariaux", so a cursory LEXIS/NEXIS
search might not have turned her up.
Since I took the book out of the library instead of buying it, I don't
know what kind of acknowledgments to Mme. Dariaux were in the front.
Can anyone enlighten me?
T.

Happy to help.
First, Tessaro writes that she herself stumbled
across Dariaux' book in a used bookstore and later
it became the "guiding inspiration" for the novel.
Then she states that she received "generous
permission of the original author" to use a
selection of the headings. She admits, entry
"B" for "Beauty" was entirely her own. She adds
that "much of the tone, and certainly the most
brilliant gems of advice, belong entirely to Madame
Antoine Dariaux herself."
She then acknowedges Dariaux' contribution
and thanks her for being "both my muse and the
touchstone of all that is elegant..."
I then sought out Dariaux' other books, finding
two of them on eBay. They are as relevant in 2004
as they were in 1964, IMO.
Classic never goes out of style.
Purrrz,
Sue

"Sue" <bsreim...@aol.comeezer> wrote in message
news:20040626031612.11561.00000...@mb–m23.aol.com...
I finished reading the Tessaro novel yesterday afternoion and enjoyed it
immensely! It's one of the best "chick lit" type of books I've read in quite
some time.

Good to hear good raves about this book. I myself bought this book
together with Shopaholic & Sister. I picked this book because it's not
chick lit/romance but chick lit/fashion. Also, I like the cover – with
the black all around. Very old–fashioned and nice.
I'm only in my first chapter though. Problem with my eyes ceased
reading for a while. I can't wait to get back to it though.
karen
http://karen.webvis.net

karen+ang wrote:
I too liked the cover, but was disappointed with the book. I read it
this weekend on a short trip. I felt really annoyed with the character
and even by the end, when I felt I was supposed to be happy for her, I
still felt like I really didn't know her. I never really understood the
character, and I felt like the major events in the book were not
explained well enough (I am a very fast reader, granted, but I felt like
something major was missing!). I won't give specific examples, as not
to be a spoiler.
Shopoholic & Sister, however, I loved. Not as good as the first two
books, this one ranks with Ties the Knot. But it was a quick read, and
had many LOL points. I've also read Sophia Kinsella's other novel, Can
You Keep A Secret? which I thought was GREAT!
LW

On Tue, 29 Jun 2004 11:29:45 GMT, LW <lwins...@removeme.twmi.rr.com>
wrote:
I share the same sentiment. When I finished the book, my first feeling
was that none of the characters was fully explored. Even Colin, her
almost best friend was not fully described. What I know of him and Ria
was very sketchy.
And I don't feel for the main character at all. Someone mentioned
about bad organisation and I have to agree.
karen
http://karen.webvis.net

I worked in a bookstore 40 yr. ago and "Elegance" was a staple then.
Mothers would buy a copy for a graduating daughter. I used to try to
read a bit here and there when the boss wasn't looking.
val